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PREFACE i 

The present volume, ‘‘The Cruise of the 
Treasure Ship,” is a companion story to 
‘ ‘ The Rival Ocean Divers, ’ ’ a tale of the deep 
blue sea which seems to have pleased my boy 
readers. 

That story was based on an expedition sent 
out by the United States government in 1898 
to gather rare specimens of deep-sea animal 
and vegetable life. In its pages the author 
told of many strange fish and other creatures 
found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. It 
narrated, too, the adventures of rival divers, 
one party of whom discovered and secured 
the treasure from a sunken ship lost in a voy- 
age from China. 

“The Cruise of the Treasure Ship” con- 
tinues the adventures of Dave Fearless, the 
young diver, and those of his companions on 
the Swallow. On board of this steamer were 
stored not only the recovered treasure, but 
also the valuable specimens of deep-sea life 
obtained through careful scientific research 
and hard effort. 

iii 




iv PKEFACE 

The reader will follow the course of the 
Swallow and those aboard with interest. 
This second volume shows how the sensible 
young ocean diver met and overcame the 
obstacles placed in his path by disappointed 
enemies. It is a natural, every-day record of 
ocean and island life, enlivened somewhat by 
the stirring circumstances that surrounded 
those who live in these pages. 

Eoy Rockwood. 


June 15, 1906. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. In Mid-Ocean 1 

II. Danger Signals 8 

III. The Man-Eater 19 

IV. Dave a Prisoner 25 

V. In the Hold 32 

VI. The Attack on the “ Swallow ” . .38 

VII. Stringent Measures 44 

VIII. Danger Scouts 53 

IX. Shut Out 60 

X. Getting out op a Tight Place . . 68 

XI. Spying the Enemy 73 

XII. A Bold Move 78 

XIII. In Bad Hands 85 

XIV. The Marooners 91 

XV. Alone with a Puma 100 

XVI. The Water Pit 107 

XVII. The Savages 113 

XVIII. Besieged 120 

XIX. “ King ” Stoodles 12G 

XX. A Midnight Alarm 133 

XXI. The Hurricane 145 

XXH. At the Tree-Bridge 154 

XXIII. Ten Thousand Dollars Reward . . IGO 

XXIV. The Earthquake 174 


V 


Vi CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 


PAGE 

XXV. 

The Floating Island 

. 182 

XXVI. 

A Queer Raft . 

. 188 

XXVII. 

Back to the Island . 

. 196 

XXVIII. 

The Sleep Berries . 

. 211 

XXIX. 

Reunited 

. 226 

XXX. 

A Swim for Life 

. 238 

XXXI. 

In a Cage . 

. 247 

XXXII. 

Found at Last 

. 256 

XXXIII. 

The Treasure 

. 262 

XXXIV. 

Conclusion . 

. . . 271 


THE CRUISE OF THE 
TREASURE SHIP 

CHAPTER I 

IN MID-OCEAN 

‘‘It looks as if that ship was following us.’’ 

“Can you make her out, Davef” 

“A steamer, I think.” 

“Perhaps it is the Raven.’ ^ 

“If so she may mean mischief, father.” 

“Yes, the Hankers don’t intend to let that 
treasure get away from them,” said Amos 
Fearless. 

“But it is ours. We worked for it,” said 
Dave Fearless, looking resolute and earnest. 
“We went into all kinds of peril to get it. 
We will fight to keep it!” 

“And we will help you, lad!” heartily pro- 
nounced Paul Broadbeani. 

He was the captain of the Stvallow, and he 
strode up to the spot where the first two 
speakers, father and son, stood discussing a 
dim black speck far in their wake. 


2 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 

The scene was the bosom of the broad 
Pacific, and out of sight of all land. 

The lookout of the Swallow had just sung 
down ‘ ‘ Sail ho ! ’ ’ 

Amos Fearless shaded his eyes with one 
hand. His son Dave swung a telescope into 
service. Both tried to make out the char- 
acter of the distant craft they had just espied. 

A remarkable series of happenings and 
motives had brought the expert diver and this 
handsome, well-built youth of seventeen by 
his side to the present moment. 

Their home was thousands of miles away, 
at Quanatack, along the coast of Long Island 
Sound. 

Amos Fearless had been a master diver 
there for nearly a quarter of a century. 
Dave, born to a knowledge of the sea, had put 
in two years’ service as a lighthouse as- 
sistant. 

As already told in another volume, entitled 
‘^The Rival Ocean Divers,” father and son 
one day decided to act upon certain informa- 
tion they had gaihe^. 

This was to the effect ^that they were direct 
heirs of the Washington family, who, twenty 
years previous, had accumulated a large for- 
tune in China. 


IN MID-OCEAN 


3 


This fortune, valued at nearly a million of 
dollars in gold coin, the Washingtons had 
shipped to San Francisco. But during a 
storm in the middle of the Pacific, the Happy 
Hour, the vessel containing this large treas- 
ure, had sunk in two miles of water. 

This fact was also known to Lemuel Han- 
kers, and his son Bart. They lived near the 
Fearless family, and father and son were dis- 
tant relatives of the Washingtons and Fear- 
lesses. 

Amos Fearless alone owned the chart giv- 
ing the exact location of the sunken treasure. 
Old Lem Hankers was a miserly trickster, 
his son Bart was not much better. By sneak- 
ing tactics the latter learned of the plans and 
hopes of the Fearlesses. 

His father had immediately acted on this 
information. He proceeded to San Francisco 
with his son, to be later joined by a rascally 
partner, one Pete Rackley. 

There, the elder Hankers chartered from a* 
wrecking company the Haven, Captain Nesik 
in command. They engaged the services of a 
professional diver named Cal Vixen, and 
started forth on the quest of the sunken 
treasure. 

When Amos Fearless learned of this, he 


4 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

knew that there was no time to lose. It was 
not a question of legal ownership as to the 
sunken treasure. Whoever found it first, had 
a right to claim it. 

The Fearlesses knew that the Hankers had 
vilely stolen their secret. They were deter- 
mined that the rascals should not also steal 
their rightful inheritance. 

It chanced that a warm seafaring friend of 
theirs named Captain Paul Broadbeam was 
just at that time at Washington. 

In command of the Swallow, then lying at 
San Francisco, he was deputized to under- 
take a voyage in the service of the govern- 
ment. 

With an eminent scientific man. Doctor Bar- 
rel!, on board, the Swallow was to proceed to 
mid-ocean. There they were to make deep- 
sea soundings. Also, they were instructed 
to secure specimens of rare marine monsters. 

When Mr. Fearless told Captain Broad- 
beam about the treasure, the latter secured 
his engagement and that of Dave as official 
divers for the expedition. The captain also 
consented to take the Swallow to the vicinity 
of the sunken treasure ship. 

Our preceding volume, ‘‘The Rival Ocean 
Divers,’’ has told in detail how Dave and a 


IN MID-OCEAN 


5 


chum, Bob Vilett, the young engineer of the 
SwalloiVy almost fell into the hands of their 
enemies while visiting the island of San 
Murio. There, too, they came near losing 
their lives among the savages. 

They escaped, however, with Pat Stoodles, 
a whimsical Irishman, who had been forced to 
become ^‘king’’ of the natives. 

When the sunken ship, the Happy Hour, 
was at length located, both the Raven and 
the Swallow were on the scene of action. 

The rival ocean divers had some thrilling 
experiences. There were terrific battles with 
unusual marine monsters. All the expert- 
ness of the master diver, Amos Fearless, was 
brought into play. Dave had a score of hair- 
breadth escapes from strange perils on the 
ocean bed, two miles under the surface. 

Magnificently equipped for the enterprise, 
the Fearlesses finally discovered the sunken 
hull of the Happy Hour. This was after the 
Hankers and their diver. Vixen, had disap- 
pointedly abandoned the quest. 

Dave and his father filled the superb Cos- 
tell diving-bell with bag after bag of the gold 
coin recovered from the wreck. Next day 
they set the course for home, via San Fran- 
cisco. 


6 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

Pete Rackley had managed to get aboard 
the Swallow in disguise some days before 
this. He had tried to dislodge various parts 
of the engine-room machinery in order to 
cripple and delay the Swallow. 

Detected in this, and recognized by Dave 
Fearless, he had been locked up. But after 
the finding of the treasure he was miss- 
ing. 

It was supposed that he had escaped by 
slipping overboard and swimming to th^ 
Raven. 

The latter craft was in a bad state of re- 
pair, and the crew of the Swalloiv generously 
offered assistance. 

In this they were sullenly repulsed. The 
Hankers threatend, however, that they would 
yet get ‘Hheir share of the treasure. 

So, with its golden freight safely stowed 
away, and feeling fully rewarded for all the 
dangers they had met with, the contented 
crew of the Sivalloiv had steamed away from 
their disgruntled enemies. 

Doctor Barrel! was the happiest man on 
board. He was taking to Washington, pre- 
served in alcohol in mighty tanks and other 
receptacles, many valuable new and fine speci- 
mens of deep-sea monsters. These had been 


IN MID-OCEAN 


7 


captured by the Fearlesses after hazardous 
and sanguinary contests in many instances. 

It was towards the evening of the second 
day after the parting of the two ships that 
Dave and his father discovered the dim black 
speck on the horizon. 

Its presence, as has been seen, suggested 
the Raven. It at once revived all their wari- 
ness in regard to a persistent and unscrupu- 
lous enemy. 


CHAPTEE II 


DANGER SIGNALS 

•Captain Broadbeam took the glass from 
Dave’s hand and looked long and fixedly at 
the distant craft. 

“Do you make her out, captain?” inquired 
Amos Fearless, anxiously. 

“Humph!” muttered the old mariner, 
“we’ll see.” 

“That is the captain’s way, father,” ob- 
served Dave, “and we will have to want be- 
fore we do ‘see.’ ” 

They watched Captain Broadbeam walk to 
the man at the wheel. Then he went below 
into the engine-room. Soon they became 
aware that the course of the Swallow was 
slightly changed. 

Its speed, too, was lessened. There was 
no doubting the tactics of the captain. He 
was bent on letting the distant steamer draw 
nearer, in order that they might learn if it 
was really the Raven. 

Dave was naturally excited over the epi- 
8 


DANGER SIGNALS 


9 


sode. He and his father had sutfered many 
a mean trick at the hands of the Hankers and 
their hired helpers. 

They were not exactly desperadoes, but 
Lemuel Hankers was a vicious, disappointed 
man. He would do anything to get money. 
Dave was sure that he would not hesitate to 
use violence to secure the treasure on board 
of the Swalloiv, 

The sun was setting among some angry- 
looking clouds. The wind had come up, and 
the sea was getting choppy. 

The gathering mists prevented them from 
making out the distant steamer any clearer 
than at first, although the Swallow had 
dropped back a full half-mile. 

Dave, strolling around to the stern, hurried 
his steps as he discovered his friend. Bob 
Vilett, in an out-of-the-way corner near the 
rail. 

The young engineer was off duty until six 
o’clock, but he seemed to be very busy just 
now. 

Dave observed that he had a long slim bam- 
boo pole by his side. It had a saucepan tied 
to one end. As it lay along the rail, Dave 
noticed that it was wet and dripping, as if it 
had been recently in use. 


10 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


‘^Whatever are you up to, BobT’ inquired 
Dave, curiously. 

Bob held aloft something he had been 
scrutinizing closely as his chum came up. 

^‘Why, this is queer!’’ said Dave. 

‘‘Isn’t it, now!” retorted Bob, with a 
peculiar expression of face. 

Dave turned over and over in his hand a 
strange object. It resembled such a toy boat 
as an urchin might make with his jack-knife. 

A piece of shingle had been pointed at one 
end. A mock mast was inserted in its center. 
This was slitted at the top, and into this 
notch was fitted a small piece of red flannel. 
This cloth was cut into an outline of definite 
shape. 

“Where did you get this. Bob?” 

“There,” answered Bob, promptly, point- 
ing down at the water. 

“Fish it up?” 

“Of course.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, I see — with the pan ? ’ ’ 

“Sure. Tell you, Dave,” went on Bob, 
quite seriously, “it’s a funny thing.” 

“What is. Bob?” 

“That toy boat — and half a dozen others.” 

“Where are the others, then?” inquired 
Dave. 


DANGER SIGNALS 


11 


Bob made an expressive sweep with his 
hand down to the water and then out towards 
the horizon. 

‘‘You mean you have seen others like 
this ? ’ ^ asked Dave, getting interested. 

“Five, just like it.” 

“When!” 

“Oh, for the past hour or two. First I 
thought they were some kind of fish. They 
appeared so regularly, though, and right in 
our wake, that I looked closer and got curi- 
ous. When we slipped back on our course, I 
knew we had a chance to pass them again. I 
rigged up the pole here. Just ran into this 
one.” 

‘ ‘ That is queer, ’ ’ said Dave, musingly. 

“I guess so! Queer in more ways than 
one. Do you notice the shape of that piece 
of red cloth?” 

“Why, yes — it resembles a bird.” 

“A bird, exactly — a swallow, eh, Dave?” 

Dave gave a slight start. Bob was about 
to say something more, when the engine-room 
bell summoned him sharply^ The wind was 
coming up sharply. 

Dave was left alone. He sat for a few 
minutes studying the toy ship. Then he 
changed his gaze to the sea. 


12 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


He scanned its surface, hoping to discover 
another of the strange toy boats. 

Dave kept a sharp lookout for some twenty 
minutes, the pole outfit ready at hand. 

Once he discovered a speck of red, but 
flabby and half sunken, for the waves had 
tipped it and the Sivallow had ground it un- 
der her keel. 

It was fast getting dark when Dave 
heard the captain give some quick, definite 
orders. 

Dave stood straining his eyes in an en- 
Kieavor to make out the steamer they sus- 
pected was the Raven, Just then the storm 
that had been gathering for some time came 
down on them in full fury. 

The Swalloiv was soon in the grasp of the 
tempest. Dave remained on deck, but took 
shelter under an awning. 

An hour later the wind dropped. The sea 
was white with foam, but one star, then an- 
other, came out, and the storm was nearly 
over. 

All signs of the suspicious steamer had 
been lost in the storm. 

Still on the lookout, ladT’ hailed Captain 
Broadboam’s cheery voice, as he came around 
the stern cabin of the ship. 


DANGEK SIGNALS 


13 


‘‘I guess that steamer is drifted or driven 
out of our course,” said Dave. 

Both swept the outlook to three cardinal 
points of the compass. 

‘‘I reckon you are right,” said the blutf old 
navigator — ‘ ‘ I cannot see any light any- 
where. ’ ’ 

‘‘Yes,” exclaimed Dave, jumping excitedly 
to his feet — “yes, there is one. Captain 
Broadheam — see?” 

“I declare!” echoed the captain. “A 
signal. Where is my night-glass?” 

He ran towards the wheelhouse for the 
desired article. Dave went to the rail and 
fixed his view to the windward. 

There, several hundred yards distant, was 
a strange glow. 

It emanated from the water, as it was low 
down and swayed in the swell. 

The glare was fierce, far-spreading, and of 
a deep red color. 

It burned for over a minute and a half. 
Just as it died out. Captain Broadheam re- 
turned with his night-glass. 

He attempted a sight, with the lenses set at 
full focus. He stood silent and motionless 
for some time. Then he lowered the glass, 
shaking his head disappointedly. 


14 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


‘^That puzzles me,” he confessed. 
no ship. Too low down for that.” 

”It was a signal, though, wasn’t it, cap- 
tain?” 

” Signal? sure,” nodded Captain Broad- 
beam. ”But who made it? Too high for a 
ship.” 

^ ‘ Perhaps it was a yawl, ’ ’ suggested Dave. 

”The glass shows nothing.” 

”Or a raft, captain?” 

” H ’m ! Here, your eyes are younger than 
mine. Keep the lookout while I see about 
this.” 

Captain Broadbeam hurried to the engine- 
room, and soon the steamer slowed again and 
swung half around. 

Then the prow cut a course directly to- 
wards the spot where the glow had appeared. 

Dave shifted his position and kept the point 
of interest well in mind and sight. 

Captain Broadbeam came back to his 
side. 

^^WeVe passed the spot where that red 
light burned,” he said. ”Did you see any- 
thing, lad?” 

”No, sir.” 

” Is it tricks, then ! ’ ’ muttered the captain, 
his bronzed brow ruffling. 


DANGER SIGNALS 


15 


‘^Who would play us tricks, captain!’’ 
asked Dave. 

‘‘Dunno,” grumbled Captain Broadbeam. 

‘ ^ If that steamer we noticed before dark was 
the Raven, and she’s got our lay, they would 
do almost anything mean to hamper or scare 
us. Great Scott! there’s another!” 

The captain ran back to the stern and Dave 
followed him. 

A quarter of a mile back, on the very course 
they had changed to, was a second glaring red 
light. 

^^It’s no steamer, it’s no raft — they 
couldn’t make such a change of position in so 
short a time ! ’ ’ excitedly declared the captain. 

Dave was baffled too. He followed the cap- • 
tain, who ran to the wheelhouse. Dave 
heard him shout hurried orders down the 
engine-room tube. 

The steamer swung clear around sharply, 
nose set directly for the new glow. 

We ’ll know now,” said the captain. 

Dave kept by his side, intensely watchful 
and curious. They momentarily drew nearer 
and nearer to the strange glare. 

Just as suddenly as before, as they got 
within about two hundred yards of it, the red 
glow was blotted out. 


16 CEUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


Captain Broadbeam roared some quick 
orders to the man at the wheel. The steamer 
let down speed, but continued on its course 
without the variation of an inch. 

Dave watched the sea on one side, the cap- 
tain on the other. 

‘ ^ H ’m ’ growled the latter at last, glaring 
up where he had been glaring down. ^^Now, 
I’ll figure this out if I stay here all night !” 

They had certainly passed over the very 
spot where the last red light had burned and 
had noticed a single object on the water. 

^^If it was a signal of distress,” said Dave, 
‘ ^ they would hail us. ’ ’ 

^‘So it must be danger, eh? Well, it’s a 
mystery anyhow, and I’m the man to solve 
it!” spoke Captain Broadbeam, doughtily. 

He gave some more orders, and then hailed 
two of the crew. The steamer was now mo- 
tionless excepting for the swell of the waves. 

‘^Get ready, lad,” said the captain, as the 
yawl was swung out from the davits. 

‘Wou are going to send out a small boat?” 
said Dave. 

‘^With a reflector lantern. Take the bow, 
lad, and search and solve this riddle. ’ ’ 

will, if it can be solved,” said Dave. 

Four men to the oars and Dave with the big 


DANGER SIGNALS 


17 


lantern at the bow, the yawl was lowered 
from the davits. 

The storm had entirely cleared away. The 
sky was cloudless, but a dense fog had begun 
to settle over the waters. 

^‘You won't find much in this thick muck," 
growled an old salt at an oar. 

Dave directed a circuit around the ship. 
Then this was widened. 

He constantly focused and shifted the re- 
flector, so they might not miss anything. 

Nothing was discovered, however. In mak- 
ing the fourth circular sweep around the 
steamer, Dave knew that they had certainly 
more than once traversed the spot where 
the red signal had appeared and disap- 
peared. 

The sea was quite rough and the fog baf- 
fling and growing denser every minute. 

‘Hs this exercise — or amusement!" sarcas- 
tically muttered one of the oarsmen. 

Dave had long since given up any hope of 
discovering the source of the danger signal, 
if such it was. 

Finally they heard the return whistle sound 
from the steamer. 

The sailors bent to their oars with alacrity 
at the welcome signal. 


18 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


Dave rested the lantern on a bow-brace, 
but still kept a keen lookout. 

^ ‘ Hold on ! ^ ’ he cried, suddenly. ‘ ‘ There ’s 
something ! ’ ’ 


V 


CHAPTER III 


THE MAN-EATEK 

Dave Feakless sprang up as he cried out 
and the lantern jangled to the bottom of the 
yawl. 

‘^Steady!’’ roared the forward oarsman. 

‘^Back her/’ ordered Dave, breathlessly. 

He did not wait a second for the maneuver, 
however. Dave realized that going at the 
fast clip they were, to stop the yawl, let alone 
back her, could not readily be accomplished. 

‘‘Hi, lad!” 

“He’s overboard!” 

Dave had acted with lightning-like rapidity. 

“Show the light,” was all they caught, as 
he seemed swallowed up by sea and fog. 

Dave had seen something, just as he had 
announced. 

As the yawl was shooting ahead, a glint 
from the reflector lantern lit across an object 
perhaps six feet away. 

This was a heavy square piece of wood. In 
19 


20 CKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


its center, sticking up like a mast, was a black 
object about as thick as a human finger. 

This object was almost as queer and strik- 
ing as the toy boat captured two hours previ- 
ous by the young engineer of the Swallow, 
Bob Vilett. 

To Dave it told a great deal. It had every- 
thing to do with the red glare, to his way of 
thinking. 

The impulse that directed him to secure it 
drove Dave to immediate action. 

He had simply jumped to his feet, shouted 
his orders; and the next instant had sprung, 
or rather dove, overboard. 

The water was Dave’s common element, 
and diving his profession. 

He did not mind the wetting a bit. His 
whole anxiety was in calculating to reach and 
capture the object he had seen. 

As he blew the water away from his face, 
he strained his eyes and swept both arms out 
gropingly. 

By this time the yawl had slowed down. 
One of the oarsmen had picked up the lantern. 

Its rays came across the waves, casting a 
shadowy illumination towards Dave. 

see it!” breathed Dave, eagerly, and 
made a stroke and a lunge forward. 


THE MAN-EATEK 


21 


‘ ‘ Show the light ! show the light ! ” he kept 
shouting, to direct the men in the yawl. 

The glare was feeble and uncertain, how- 
ever, on account of the fog. Dave breasted a 
big wave. The object he was after, dimly 
seen, was almost in reach. 

^^Two more strokes,” he calculated. 

Dave took only one. Then he dropped un- 
der the water like a shot. 

Dave Fearless was familiar with all the 
perils of the deep. He had suddenly dis- 
covered an imminent one. 

A peculiar gliding swish had warned him. 
Something whiter than the spume of the sea 
showed momentarily. Like an arrow a big 
shark shot directly between Dave and the 
object he was after. A swing of its tail shat- 
tered the latter to splinters. 

As Dave came up, his left hand and arm 
ran along a saw-like something that cut the 
flesh to the quick and ripped a sleeve to 
tatters. 

He had grazed a fin of the shark ! The sea 
monster dropped in the swell just as Dave, by 
sheer chance and natural buoyancy, went to 
the crest of a wave. 

‘‘A man-eater!” came in a curdling yell 
from the yawl. 


22 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


The reflector was now fully focused on the 
shark. Dave saw his peril, also his only 
chance. 

With the drop of the wave crest he landed 
squarely across the back of the man-eater. 

So quickly that he had not even time to tilt 
or slip, he arose half-upright. 

Then Dave threw himself violently forward 
from his spongy, springy foothold towards 
the advancing yawl. 

‘‘Whew! that was a close shave,’’ gasped 
the gruff -voiced sailor who grabbed him just 
as his outstretched hands struck, but missed, 
the edge of the yawl. 

The man-eater had turned in pursuit in- 
stantly. 

A second sailor lifted an oar and struck 
out at the gaping jaws of the shark. 

Dave fell collapsing to the bottom of the 
yawl. He was pretty weak and out of 
breath. 

He saw the shark snap at the oar that 
struck its snout a stinging blow, and then 
crunch it to atoms. 

“Did you get what you was after?” asked 
his rescuer. 

“No,” panted Dave. 

“That shark pretty nigh got you though.” 


THE MAN-EATER 


23 

The men rowed for the steamer, and reach- 
ing it were swung aboard. 

‘‘Did you find anything T’ inquired Cap- 
tain Broadbeam. 

“No, but the lad came near being a Jonah, ’ * 
retorted Dave’s rescuer. 

The captain was summoned to the wheel- 
house. Dave, wet and weakened, did not try 
any explanation just then. 

He went below. Mr. Fearless had gone to 
their stateroom when the storm came up, and 
Dave found him quietly reading in his bunk. 

“Why, Dave,” spoke his father, sur- 
prisedly surveying his dripping son, “what 
has happened!” 

“Nothing serious. I’ll get on some dry 
clothes and tell you all about it. ’ ’ 

Dave felt better when he had changed his 
attire. He sat on a stool and rested for a bit. 

His father was quite curious. He knew 
from Dave’s restrained manner and dis- 
turbed face that something unusual was on 
his mind. 

Dave finally related the incidents of the 
evening. Mr. Fearless listened with interest. 

“Singular about those toy boats,” he said 
thoughtfully — ‘ ‘ and that piece of board, too. ’ ’ 

“Yes, father,” spoke Dave, “for I am sure 


24 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

that the same hand fashioned both. I think 
I have figured it out. That board had a 
marine red light with a time fuse set up in its 
center. ’ ’ 

‘‘But why set afloat T’ 

Dave was silent. 

“And by whom?’’ 

“That I don’t know — yet,” answered 
Dave. “But, I am going to find out. Per- 
haps there is a traitor aboard the Swallow!^’ 


CHAPTER IV 


DAVE A PEISONER 

Amos Fearless was disturbed at his son’s 
serious statement. 

‘‘A traitor aboard the Swallow ? he re- 
peated. 

‘^Yes, father.” 

^‘How can that be? What is his object?” 

^‘To hamper and delay us,” replied Dave. 
‘^We certainly have an enemy among us. I’ll 
tell you why, father. Those toy boats and 
those floating signals were set adrift from the 
Swallow/^ 

‘Ht looks possible,” said Amos Fearless, 
musingly. 

^‘Whoever handled them is in league with 
the Hankers. I am sure now that the Raven 
is following us. The toy boats were floated 
and the red-fire signals were set off to guide 
the Raven on our trail.” 

Mr. Fearless arose with an uneasy face. 

‘‘Are you going on deck?” inquired Dave. 

25 


26 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


^^Yes, I think I had better have a talk with 
Captain Broadbeam about this.’^ 

‘‘I think so, too, father. Something 
against us and our interests is certainly stir- 
ring. We can’t be too watchful.” 

Won’t you come, too?” 

‘‘Later, maybe. I want to rest a bit and 
attend to a few little matters.” 

“All right, Dave.” 

A little while after his father was gone, 
Dave also left the stateroom. 

Doctor Barrel!, the government scientist on 
board the Sivallow, had a double stateroom of 
his own, and Dave went to it. 

The door stood open. Dave saw that the 
compartment was empty. He reflected for 
a moment or two. 

‘ ‘ I am decidedly uneasy, ’ ’ he said at length, 
“and I guess I’ll take a look at things on my 
own hook. ’ ’ 

Doctor Barrel! and the Fearlesses had 
many common privileges along with their 
good-hearted host and friend. Captain Broad- 
beam. 

One of these was the possession of a dupli- 
cate set of keys to certain compartments at 
the stern. 

Dave went to the head of a bunk, groped 


DAVE A PRISONER 


27 


along its edge, and brought to light a bunch 
of keys. 

Then from a little cupboard nailed to the 
wall he got a dark lantern, lit it, and left the 
cabin. 

He took his way along a narrow passage. 
It led into a storeroom. Beyond this were 
other compartments and passages. Pursu- 
ing one with which he was familiar, Dave 
finally came into quite a large space. 

It was a queer place, and filled with gigantic 
glass jars, zinc kettles, copper vats, and hogs- 
heads. 

As Dave flashed the light about, he viewed 
many a trophy of his own and his father’s 
submarine skill. 

This was Doctor Barrell’s storeroom. In 
the largest of the copper receptacles, which 
were filled with alcohol, reposed the famous 
Eurypharynx Pelicanoides, Perhaps this 
was the finest specimen of the Sea Devil of 
the Ocean’s Bottom ever captured. 

Dave and his father had nearly lost their 
lives in fighting this fierce marine monster, 
that had eyes like electric-light globes. 

Next to it was a Devil’s Needle, as perfect 
as in life. In a big zinc vat beside it was the 
sanguinary Sea Devil, a fish sustaining a re- 


28 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


sistance pressure of one hundred pounds to 
the square inch. 

There were other marvelous specimens 
here, such as the Fire Fish, which in action 
splutters sparks from its tail like an inex- 
haustible Koman candle. 

Dave put down his lantern finally beside a 
square zinc box. He lifted its cover and 
peered in. 

The zinc box was filled with water, and 
sunk in it was a smaller sheet-iron chest. 

This latter was surrounded by a brass hoop 
secured by an enormous padlock. The pad- 
lock was covered with a great piece of seal- 
ing-wax. 

^‘The treasure from the Happy Hour is in 
there just as safe as when we put it there,” 
spoke Dave. ^‘No one has tried to disturb it. 
It isnT because I love money,” he went on, 
‘ ‘ that I am anxious about that treasure. But 
we earned it through hard work and peril. 
It belongs to us rightfully, and if I know any- 
thing about it father will do a whole lot of 
good in the world with it. ’ ’ 

The sight of the treasure chest intact acted 
as a relief to Dave’s anxieties. Now his next 
thought was how he could locate the traitor 
aboard the Swallow, 


DAVE A PRISONER 


29 


One half of the stern space was occupied by 
some of the crew. The other comprised the 
class of compartments and passages that 
Dave was now in. 

As he left the specimen room, Dave planned 
that he would go on deck and among the crew. 
He must try and single out the person who 
was signaling the Raven. 

Dave was passing a compartment that let 
into an extreme corner of the stern hold. 
This, as he knew, comprised a room where 
extra mattresses, blankets, stores of liquors, 
medicines, and clothing were kept under lock 
and key. 

It was guarded by a stout sheet-iron door. 
The upper part of this, for ventilating pur- 
poses, had an open grating, the bars of which 
were about five inches apart. 

Just as Dave was opposite this, he was 
suddenly and violently nearly pulled off his 
balance. 

A hand shot out through the grating. His 
wrist was seized and his arm pulled past the 
bars clear to the elbow, the dark lantern along 
with it- 

‘‘Hold on!’^ cried Dave, fairly stupefied by 
the sudden attack. 

‘^Shut up!” hissed a fierce thick voice. 


30 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


‘‘and yon hold on to those keys, Dave Fear- 
less.’’ 

Dave’s arm was retained in a vise-like grip. 
His face was pulled up almost against the 
grating. He had dropped the lantern inside 
the next room as his arm was pulled through 
into it. 

“Who are you? What do you want?” de- 
manded the amazed young diver, trying to 
tear himself free. 

“Never mind that now. I’ve got you, and 
you listen to me, Dave Fearless, if you don’t 
want your arm wrenched loose and your wind 
shut off.” 

Dave found himself in a painful predica- 
ment. His captor had reached his other hand 
through the grating. Fingers like iron closed 
about his throat. 

“You reach towards that keyhole, fit the 
right key to the lock, and unlock the door. 
Will you do it?” demanded his captor. 

“I’ll have to, I suppose,” said Dave, as the 
clutch on his throat was loosened enough for 
him to speak intelligently. 

“Then get at it.” 

Dave tried one key and then another. He 
fitted the right one and then turned it. He 
was confused and hurt by the violent attack. 


DAVE A PKISONER 


31 


Eesistance was impossible. The door was 
pushed open, bearing him with it. The man 
inside reached around its edge, grasped his 
free hand, let go the other one, and gave Dave 
a fearful jerk. 

The next instant Dave landed sprawling 
inside of the room. He fell face forward on 
a heap of mattresses that littered the place, 
and sank to the waist head down between two 
of them. 

His feet were then grabbed up. His captor 
was prepared for prompt action, it seemed. 
A rope was whipped about Dave’s ankles 
and tightened. 

Next he was tipped clear over, his hands 
were twisted back of him and also tied. 

‘‘Now then,” spoke his captor in a satisfied 
tone, “we’ll have some light on the subject.” 

The speaker righted the dark lantern, 
which had fallen on its face. 

Dave curiously and then in some dismay 
stared at the man its rays illumined. 

‘ ‘ Pete Rackley ! ” he gasped. 


CHAPTER V 


IN THE HOLD 

Pete Rackley seemed to enjoy Dave’s dis- 
comfiture. He sat down on the edge of a box 
and gloated over his prisoner. 

Dave glanced about the place. He could 
only reason out Rackley ’s presence there. 

Everybody on the Sivalloiv had supposed 
that Pete Rackley had escaped to the Raven 
some days previously. 

It appeared now that he had indeed escaped 
from the lamp-room where they had at first 
locked him in, but only to harbor himself in 
another part of the steamer. 

Dave guessed that in his wanderings about 
the hdld Rackley had discovered the present 
compartment and slunk into it. Then, who- 
ever had left the door open temporarily had 
returned, and the refugee found himself 
locked up again. 

Dave observed from a casual glance about 
the compartment that Pete Rackley had not 
32 


IN THE HOLD 


33 


suffered mucli in his solitude, nor had he been 
idle. 

Many empty cans of meat and bottles of 
liquor showed that he had eaten and druni: to 
his heart’s content. 

His face was red and bloated, his eyes 
bloodshot and vicious. Eackley was in a 
bold, desperate mood, that was sure. 

There was a litter of shavings on the floor, 
and pieces of shingles and boards. Near 
them lay an open package of red-fire candles. 

An open bull’s-eye near the stern showed 
how easy it had been for Eackley to put into 
action his plan for floating signals day and 
night for the benefit of his friends aboard the 
Raven. 

Well, what do you think of it?” demanded 
Pete Eackley, with a coarse laugh. 

don’t see what you got me in here for,” 
answered Dave. 

‘‘Don’t you? Well, I brought you in here 
because I wanted to get out. All I needed 
was those keys and a lantern. Now then, 
Dave Fearless, you don’t have to be shown 
that, to know that I mean business,” and 
Eackley flourished a wicked-looking knife. 

“What kind of business?” inquired Dave, 
calmly. 


34 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 

‘‘You’ll see, if you keep quiet. If you 
make a noise, you won’t. You fellows have 
outrageously robbed us of our share of that 
treasure, and I won’t hesitate at anything to 
help my friends get their rights.” 

This was a new way of putting it, but Dave 
decided it would be best not to open any argu- 
ment. 

Rackley closed the bull’s-eye, and besides 
stuffed a roll of canvas against the glass. 

“If you yell, or any of that nonsense, you 
won’t be heard with the thumping of the 
engine and through all these thick timbers,” 
continued Hackle. “But you may make me 
mad. Don’t try it, that’s all.” 

Pete Rackley took up the lantern, stepped 
through the doorway, locked the door after 
him, and went off with the keys. 

What he had said was true. Dave realized 
that his shrillest cries would not be likely to 
reach any other part of the steamer. 

He was not very much alarmed, though. 
He would soon be missed and a search made. 

The keys might be missed, too, and this dis- 
covery would at once direct investigation to 
the hold. 

What principally worried Dave was the 
possible mischief Rackley might do, fired with 


IN THE HOLD 


35 


strong drink and having free access to every- 
thing under deck. 

Dave heard Eackley blunder about the cor- 
ridors and unlock several doors. Then no 
further indication of his movements reached 
the prisoner. 

A quarter of an hour went by. Dave grew 
restless and began straining at his bonds. 

Eackley was not much of a sailor and he had 
tied some rather poor knots. Dave was de- 
lighted when, without much etfort, he got one 
wrist free, then the other, and then his feet. 

How soon would Eackley return? Did he 
intend to return at all ? It might be his inten- 
tion to get to the deck, watch his chance, steal 
the yawl, and get away. 

Dave went to the bull ’s-eye, and after pull- 
ing its canvas covering away opened it. 

All he could view was the sea, covered with 
^ fog as thick as a snow-storm. 

He could reach an arm, or even both of 
them, through the vent in the timbers, but he 
could not stick his head through. He real- 
ized that there was not much use to try 
shouting. 

A sudden thought struck Dave as he stood 
still thinking. 

‘HTl do it,’’ he decided. 


36 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHlF 

Dave groped in his pocket. He fortunately 
found half a dozen matches. 

Flaring one cautiously, he located the 
broken bundle of red lights. 

Bunching these together, Dave approached 
the open bulFs-eye. He ignited their ends 
with another match. Then he thrust them 
out through the hole far as his arm would 
reach. 

They made a great glare, he knew. His 
heart beat faster as his eyes were dazzled by 
the brilliancy. Dave anxiously listened for 
the possible return of Pete Rackley. 

The red lights burned out. Dave dropped 
the blackened ends and went back to the iron 
door. 

He could only wait now for the result of his 
experiment. 

All was silent in the hold. The minutes 
seemed hours — no Rackley, no intimation that 
the red lights had attracted any attention on 
deck. 

Suddenly, however, a commotion near at 
hand reached Dave’s ears. 

A door was slammed open, and a flood of 
light filled the corridor into which Dave 
peered through the iron grating. 

A human form shot headlong across the 


IN THE HOLD 


37 


floor. It was Pete Rackley who came into 
view. 

Following him, bearing a lantern, was Cap- 
tain Broadbeam. 

The honest old mariner’s face was red with 
anger and indignation. 

He was bristling all over. He had kicked 
Pete Rackley through the doorway. 

Now he kicked him again as Rackley tried 
to get up, sending him groaning and pros- 
trate farther down the passage. 

‘‘Out with it, ye miserable scum!” roared 
Captain Broadbeam in tones of thunder. 
“What’s this game? Own up, or I’ll hang 
you from the yard-arm!” 


CHAPTER VI 


THE ATTACK ON THE ‘‘ SWALLOW ’’ 

Dave Fearless had never before seen the 
stalwart old sea captain in such a fit of rage. 

He was duly amazed. He saw his father 
following after the captain, and drew nearer 
to the door. 

Mr. Fearless had a bunch of keys in his 
hand — apparently those which Rackley had 
taken from Dave. 

Pete Rackley must have dropped them 
when discovered by the irate captain. 

The scurvy fellow now lay shivering and 
groaning where he had fallen. He seemed 
half stunned. 

Are you going to speak? roared Captain 
Broadbeam. 

Rackley only whined. Just then Dave 
pressed up close to the grating. 

‘‘Let me out, father,’’ he called. 

“Hello!” ejaculated Captain Broadbeam, 
staring hard at his young friend. 

38 


THE ATTACK ON THE “SWALLOW” 39 

‘ ‘ You here, Dave ? ’ ’ murmured Amos Fear- 
less, in astonishment. ‘‘And locked in!’’ 

“Who locked you in?” demanded the 
captain. 

‘ ‘ Pete Rackley. Unlock the door, captain, ’ ’ 
continued Dave. “Maybe I can clear up 
matters a little. ’ ’ 

Dave came out and told his story. The 
captain’s brow grew darker and darker. 

“We saw the red flare,” he said, “and 
came below to investigate. We ran across 
that rascal yonder, in the ammunition room. ’ ’ 

This sounded ominous to Dave. 

“What was he doing there, captain?” he 
asked. 

“Doing? What has he done, you mean!” 
cried Captain Broadbeam, grinding his teeth. 

He started up as if he would again make an 
onslaught upon his fallen foe. Mr. Fearless 
held him back. 

“He has broken the lock on every rifle in 
the place. He has thrown all the small arms 
and cartridges through a port-hole to the 
bottom of the ocean,” continued the captain. 

“Why,” said Dave, “then there is a plot, a 
well-laid one, too, if I’m not mistaken. Cap- 
tain, this man has not disarmed us and made 
us helpless without a motive. It looks as if 


40 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


he has hopes of his friends making an attack 
on ns, and 

Right you are!’^ shouted Pete Rackley, 
suddenly, in a vengeful tone — ^‘and there 
they come ! ^ ’ 

He sprang to his feet as he spoke, and 
started to bolt down a passageway. 

Captain Broadbeam had a broken pistol in 
his hand. He threw it as a missile. 

It caught the bold fugitive behind the ear 
with a resounding crack, just as Rackley was 
skipping around a corner. 

Next, Captain Broadbeam pounced on the 
fellow and grasped Rackley by the coat- 
collar. The latter, dizzied and half stunned, 
sank to liis knees. 

‘^Hark!’’ said Amos Fearless. 

All three stood still and listened, intensely 
puzzled and alarmed. 

Overhead there was a trampling, shuffling 
sound as of numerous feet crossing the 
deck. 

Yells rang out, there were several shots 
fired. Of a sudden there was a jerk that 
made the steamer quiver. 

The engine had stopped with a shock. Cap- 
tain Broadbeam ’s eyes dilated and his breath 
came quick. 


THE ATTACK ON THE “SWALLOW” 41 

^‘That means trouble!^’ he cried. ^‘And 
mischief, too ! Come on quick ! ’ ’ 

The stalwart mariner led the way, half 
pulling and dragging Eackley along with 
him. 

As they passed through the tank-room the 
sounds of some kind of a conflict on deck were 
more distinctly heard. 

^ ^ It ’s an attack, sure enough, ’ ^ said the cap- 
tain. ‘ ^ The villains ! ’ ’ 

As the master of the Swallow burst open 
the door of the rear cabin, he flung Eackley 
to the floor in a heap. 

Then rushing to a cupboard on the wall, he 
pulled open its door and took out a big navy 
revolver. 

‘^Arm yourselves with something,’’ he 
directed, quickly, to Dave and his father. 
‘^Nobody but those Raven inifiians are in 
this, and you know what they are after ! ’ ’ 

Before any of the three could cross the 
apartment there was a tremendous racket in 
the outer cabin. 

Its door was thrust open violently, and two 
men fairly tumbled into the room. 

‘‘Captain, those scoundrels from the 
Raven!’’ gasped Doctor Barrell, staggering 
into view, his coat half torn from his back. 


42 CKUISE OF THE TEEASUKE SHIP 


‘^Bad cess to the vilyuns!’^ panted Pat 
Stoodles. 

The doughty Irishman had an ugly welt on 
his cheek. He bore in one hand a club shat- 
tered at the center. 

Whang! whack! thud! echoed disturbing 
sounds directly on the heels of the first two 
arrivals. 

Yells of pain and rage followed these 
noises. Just as Captain Broadbeam made 
for the door that had slammed shut, it came 
open again. Bob Vilett, entering with ter- 
rific force, sprawled across the floor headlong. 

They could all see through the aperture re- 
vealed for a moment strange forms crowding 
in the outer cabin. 

Through these ranks the intrepid young 
engineer, armed with the iron bar he still had 
in his grasp, had forced and beaten his way. 

One man was holding his head and reeling. 
Two others lay senseless on the floor. 

Captain Broadbeam lunged forward like an 
angry lion, his eyes aglare. 

‘‘Don’t let him !” panted Bob. “Shut the 
door, lock it, bar it. That’s our only 
chance.” 

Dave sprang to execute the order. 

“Stand aside!” roared Captain Broad- 


THE ATTACK ON THE “SWALLOW” 43 


beam. ‘‘Piracy on the high seas, eh? Why, 
I T1 annihilate them ! ^ ’ 

“Captain, they’ll kill you !” gasped Bob, in 
a frenzy of real terror. 

He clung to the captain’s arm to hold him 
back. Dave had closed and locked the door. 

He let fall into its grooves the broad oak 
bar that guarded it, just as heavy human 
bodies made it quake by a rush from the other 
side. 

“Back, you carrion!” shouted Captain 
Broadbeam. “Try that again, and I’ll bore 
you with seven forty-eights ! ’ ’ 

He drew up the big heavy revolver as he 
spoke. 

“Unbar that door,” he ordered to Dave. 

“Oh, captain, don’t do it!” pleaded Bob. 
“I know something you don’t.” 

“What! desert my crew?” cried Broad- 
beam, indignantly. 

“There’s no crew to desert,” declared Bob 
Vilett. “They are penned in at the fore- 
castle guarded by six men armed with rifles. 
It’s the Hankers and that Nesik, and the 
whole Raven crew, captain. They’ve cap- 
tured the Swallow, and we are at their 
mercy ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTER VII 


STRINGENT MEASURES 

Captain Broadbeam cooled down a trifle as 
Bob Vilett began to tell bis story. 

The young engineer narrated how two boat- 
loads of men had boarded the steamer sud- 
denly, while the captain was below with Amos 
Fearless. 

The steamer was going very slow at the 
time, and the dense fog had hidden the move- 
ments of the marauders until they were 
actually on the deck of the Swalloiv, 

‘‘Nesik was in one yawl, Cal Vixen the 
diver in the other,” explained Bob. 

‘ ‘ N esik will never command another craft ! ’ ’ 
said Broadbeam between his teeth. 

‘‘They seemed to have planned everything 
out,” went on Bob Vilett. “It all went like 
clockwork. One party cleared the deck and 
drove the men into the forecastle. The other 
split up, and part of them rushed down to the 
engine-room. ’ ^ 

“Who stopped the engine?” 

44 


STKINGENT MEASUEES 


45 


* ^ They did, and knocked the engineer 
senseless. They made for me. I grabbed 
an iron bar and squeezed out through a 
window.’’ 

‘‘Were the Hankers with them, Bob?” in- 
quired Dave. 

“Both of them. That old skinflint, Lem 
Hankers, stood on deck taking no hand in the 
commotion. But that precious son of his, 
Bart ” 

Bob paused, with flashing eyes. He spat 
on his palm and grasped the iron bar signifi- 
cantly. 

‘ ‘ Oh, he tackled you, did he ? ” asked Dave. 

“No, he got in my way and got hurt. 
That’s when I was running for the cabin. 
Bart, with a ridiculous sword strapped to his 
waist, drew it and began waving it at me, 
about as graceful as a shinny stick.” 

“What did you do. Bob?” 

“I gave the sword one lick, and it went 
whirling into a hundred fathoms of water. 
Then I landed up against the young villain. 
I gave him one thump, just one, in the left 
eye. It will last him for a time. Then I 
made for the cabin here. Captain, they are 
all armed, they are four to one, and we’re in 
a fix. ’ ’ 


46 CKUISE OF THE TEEASURE SHIP 


^^Alioy, in there!’’ sounded a loud voice 
from beyond the barred door. 

The speaker had tapped on the panels, ap- 
parently with the butt-end of a pistol. 

What vermin are you, that hails an honest 
man?” roared Captain Broadbeam. 

^‘I’m Captain Nesik, the Raven/ ^ was the 
bombastic retort. ‘^I’m a man of peace^ and 
I want a parley. ’ ’ 

^‘You want a rope’s-end!” flared out the 
commander of the Swalloiv. “You’ll get it 
yet, mark me ! ’ ’ 

“I’ll wait two minutes,” announced Nesik. 
“Just two. Then, if you don’t surrender un- 
conditionally, we’ll batter down the door and 
make you. ’ ’ 

“Oh, you will?” shouted Captain Broad- 
beam. “You’ll hang for piracy on the high 
seas, you mean!” 

“Captain, let me suggest a word, if you 
please,” interrupted mild-mannered Doctor 
Barrel!. “My man,” he hailed through the 
barred door, “do you understand that you 
are trespassing on a craft in the direct service 
of the United States government?” 

“I don’t,” answered Nesik. “This steamer 
may have been chartered for official service 
at the start. I hold, though, that you can- 


STKINGENT MEASURES 


47 


celed all that by diverting its use to further- 
ing a private enterprise. ’ ’ 

“He means the search for the Washington 
treasure/^ murmured Amos Fearless. 

“I do/’ answered the captain of the Raven, 
overhearing the words. “According to the 
rules of flotsam and jetsam, we had as much a 
right to that treasure as you. ’ ’ 

“Not when we got it first,” said Captain 
Broadbeam. 

‘ ‘ Then we ’ll make it who gets it last, ’ ’ an- 
nounced Nesik. “Come, no nonsense. We’ve 
practically got it, for you are helpless. Give 
up peaceably and turn over that treasure, and 
you can proceed on your voyage with what 
you came after — your specimens.” 

“A fine specimen you are!” roared Cap- 
tain Broadbeam. “You’ve had your say. 
Then one! two! three! You bloody reptiles, 
there ’s my answer ! ’ ’ 

There were three sharp reports. Captain 
Broadbeam had fired through the panels of 
the door. No one seemed hit beyond it, but 
there were sounds of scurry and appre- 
hension. 

“It’s no use, captain,” said Doctor Bar- 
rel!. “You are wasting shots that may be 
needed. ’ ’ 


48 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

What would you do, thenT’ stormed Cap- 
tain Broadbeam, pacing the floor like a caged 
lion. 

^‘I’d — consider,’’ rather helplessly an- 
swered the man of science. 

‘‘Do it quick, then. Give in to them? Not 
till the last ditch ! Ha ! ’ ’ exclaimed the cap- 
tain, bending his ear to catch new sounds 
from the outer cabin. 

The next instant the communicating door 
shook and strained on its hinges. 

It was evident to all that the enemy had 
secured and were using some log or post to 
batter down the door. 

Captain’s Broadbeam ’s eyes blazed. He 
looked desperately down into the barrels of 
the navy revolver. 

Dave knew that he never minced matters 
when he came to a crisis. He realized seri- 
ously that the first man who ventured to cross 
the threshold of the room they were in was 
doomed. 

They stood, all of them, grim-faced and 
resolute. Bob Vilett retained the iron bar, 
Pat Stoodles got a new grip on his broken 
• club. Dave had found a long knife in the 
cupboard. Amos Fearless armed himself 
with an iron window-hook. 


STKINGENT MEASUKES 


49 


Even Doctor Barrell arose to the occasion. 
From his scientific case he had secured a 
long, exquisitely bladed plant-knife. 

For a moment Captain Broadbeam put 
down his weapon on a stand. 

He rolled up his sleeves and cast a satisfied 
look at his silent but determined allies. 

‘H^m proud of you/’ he said, with genuine 
feeling. never spilled human blood yet. 
There is no need of it in this enlightened age. 
But, when reckless curs like that gang out 
there ride down law, and right, and decency, 
no honest man should hesitate to oppose 
them, even at the cost of his life. My friends, 
there’s one only way out of this — to fight to 
the death.” 

Dave ’s head whirled — not with fear, for he 
was no coward, but with sheer excitement. 

‘‘Yes,” he said, “it’s not the fortune we’re 
fighting for. It is the principle of the thing. 
Captain, stop him!” 

A second bump had come at the barred 
door, cracking a panel its length. 

Simultaneously three shots had rung out 
from Captain Broadbeam ’s navy revolver. 

Quite an amazing and unexpected thing 
had occurred. It was Pete Kackley who had 
fired the shots. 


60 CKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


Until the present moment he had lain 
groaning and apparently half insensible 
where Captain Broadbeam had flung him, on 
the floor of the inner cabin. 

Nobody was particularly noticing Rackley. 
When the captain had laid down the weapon 
for an instant to roll up his sleeves, the wily 
miscreant had sprung up. He had grabbed 
the weapon and quickly fired all the remain- 
ing chambers. 

Now he stood with a malignant, triumphant 
face, yelling loudly. 

Smash in the door, Nesik! that’s their last 
shot. Every other gun or pistol they had 
aboard is at the bottom of the sea or use- 
less.” 

For an instant an expression of profound 
consternation hovered on the old mariner’s 
face. 

Then his massive lips set strangely, a grim 
look came into his eyes. 

^‘Well, well, well,” he pronounced slowly, 
directing a glance at Rackley that made him 
shiver. ‘‘That’s your final serpent-hiss, is 
it? Vilett and Dave, seize that man.” 

Dave and Bob sprang upon Rackley, each 
seizing an arm. 

“Bring him here,” continued Captain 


STRINGENT MEASURES 51 

Broadbeam, pulling a stand out from the 
wall. 

Kackley struggled. However, his recent 
hard usage had put him in poor shape for 
resistance. 

Throw him across that table, ordered 
the captain, ‘ ‘ and hold him there. ’ ^ 

This was done. 

‘‘Give me that knife,’’ continued Captain 
Broadbeam, drawing from Dave’s pocket the 
weapon with which the young diver had 
recently armed himself. 

Pete Rackley turned white. Something in 
the slow, measured manner of the captain 
appalled him. 

Captain Broadbeam fixed a grim, steady 
look on the quivering miscreant. 

With a deft sweep of the knife he ripped 
open one sleeve of the captive clear to the 
elbow. 

Bang! came a third battering crash at the 
cabin door. 

“Pete Rackley,” spoke Captain Broad- 
beam in a tone like hard iron, ‘ ‘ call that gang 
otf.” 

Rackley writhed and uttered some unintel- 
ligible words. 

“ On a ship of war, ’ ’ proceeded the captain 


52 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

in a firm, unrelenting tone, ‘ ^ they would hang 
you without a trial for what you have done. 
In the merchant service it’s double mutiny; 
and if we killed you like a dog the marine law 
would sustain us. Call off that gang.” 

As the captain spoke he drove the point of 
the knife blade into Pete Rackley’s arm. 

The captive uttered a frightful yell of pain. 

‘^Captain Nesik!” he bawled. 

^‘Louder!” ordered Captain Broadbeam, 
repeating the operation. ‘^Do you want to 
die by inches?” 

‘‘Nesik! Nesik!” screamed the tortured 
Rackley. ^ ^ I ’m here, in their power. They ’ll 
butcher me if you break down that door. ’ ’ 

There was silence in the outer cabin after 
that. 


CHAPTER VIII 


DANGER SCOUTS 

There were seven all told in the lower 
cabin of the Sivallow. These, except for Pete 
Rackley, resolved themselves into a com- 
mittee of ways and means. 

No further attempts were made to batter 
down the door. Judging from sounds and 
signs, Captain Nesik of the Raven had ac- 
cepted the situation, and had gone otf to some 
other part of the vessel to hold a council of 
war. 

He had left two of his men on guard in the 
fore cabin. The prisoners could hear them 
talking and moving about. 

Captain Broadbeam cooled down from his 
first anger and excitement after awhile. 

Amos Fearless was a sensible, level-headed 
man. His advice carried weight with the old 
sea veteran. 

‘‘You see,’’ said Dave’s father, “those 
scoundrels have the upper hand by a long 
average. ’ ’ 


53 


64 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


^^Yes, I see it, and it galls me!’’ growled 
Broadbeam. 

‘^They seem to have cowed or bribed our 
crew. At any rate, they have our men in their 
power. They have control of the machinery 
of this ship. In fact, they have everything 
in sight except ourselves and the treas- 
ure.” 

‘‘Which they will find!” groaned the cap- 
tain. 

“Perhaps, but we can gain nothing by a 
rush and being worsted. By holding out, 
something favorable to us may turn up. We 
are barricaded here, and have a safe hostage 
in Pete Rackley. ’ ’ 

“So, as I advised heretofore,” observed 
Doctor Barrel! in his usual labored way, “let 
us consider.” 

They did consider. All interested had a 
voice in the discussion that followed. 

They resolved to hold the fort as long as 
possible. 

The cabin was not very comfortable. 
Where its roof, high up, came above the level 
of the deck a few inches, there were two rows 
of very narrow clouded glass windows. 

Over these their enemies had thrown tar- 
paulins. The refugees of the Swallow were, 


DANGEK SCOUTS 55 

therefore, as much isolated as if shut into 
some underground pit. 

Captain Broadbeam did a great deal of pac- 
ing about and fuming and fretting. 

Dave made a tour of the cabin. From a 
wardrobe he unearthed a small revolver. 

The captain discovered a pair of handcuffs. 
With these he ornamented Mr. Pete Rack- 
ley, despite the violent protest of that in- 
dividual. 

^^Oh, weT stick to you, you skunk!” de- 
clared Captain Broadbeam. ‘^You’re our 
safe conduct, you know. ’ ’ 

‘WouTl have to give in,” muttered Rack- 
ley, wrathfully. ‘Wou canT stop here for- 
ever. You haven’t any food or water. 
They’ll starve you out.” 

have been thinking of that, captain,” 
said Dave to the master of the ship in a low 
tone. want to tell you something.” 

Dave led the captain to a little alcove off 
the rear cabin. Here they could converse 
privately. 

‘‘I’ve been looking over the prospect. Cap- 
tain Broadbeam,” said Dave. 

“What do you make out, lad I” 

“Just what father says : We are best off as 
we are. I do not think that we should take 


56 CKUISE OF THE TEEASUKE SHIP 


any risks until we can make a move that will 
count for something.’’ 

‘ ^ Forge ahead, lad. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ The (foor yonder, the only one leading out 
of the cabin this way, has a strong lock and a 
bar, so we can hold them off at both ends.” 

Allowing all that — what are you getting 
at?” 

‘^This, captain,” explained Dave: ‘‘v^e 
haven’t had our supper yet, there is not a 
morsel of food in reach, or a drop of water.” 

^‘Zounds!” roared the captain; ‘‘you don’t 
suppose those scoundrels would be inhuman 
enough to shut us in to starve ? ’ ’ 

“Yes,” said Dave, “I think those are their 
tactics, force or persuasion failing. I have 
heard some voices in various parts of the 
hold, and I think they are looking for the 
treasure.” 

“It’s likely, lad, drat them!” 

“They don’t know the hold as I do. It is 
full of all kinds of crooks and corners. AVe 
must have food and water. We ought to 
know the condition of our crew.” 

“I only wish I was with the brave fellows,” 
murmured Captain Broadbeam. 

“Communication with them might mean 
our salvation.” 


DANGER SCOUTS 


57 


‘^But that^s impossible/^ sighed Captain 
Broadbeam. 

‘^Perhaps not. At any rate, I have a sug- 
gestion to make. Give me the bunch of keys 
father had, and let me out through the rear 
door. ITl shift for myself.’’ 

‘‘Suppose you are discovered?” asked the 
captain. 

“I’ll try hard not to be.” 

“You propose going alone?” 

“No, I would like to have Bob Vilett with 
me. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Have you spoken to Bob about it ? ” 

“Yes,” said Dave, “we have been talking 
this scheme over for the last few minutes.” 

Captain Broadbeam indulged in a spell of 
thinking. He had a fine idea of Dave’s in- 
born bravery and intelligence. But he had 
come to love him like an own son. 

“I can’t decide, lad,” he said finally, with 
a sigh. ‘ ‘ Ask your father. ’ ’ 

Amos Fearless looked troubled and anxious 
when Dave stated his proposition. Yet he 
had confidence in his son. 

‘ ‘ I believe you will fetch something out of 
it, Dave,” he said. 

“Shall I go ahead, then?” 

“Yes.” 


68 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Captain Broadbeam unbarred and unlocked 
the rear door of the cabin. 

He listened intentlj^ before he swung it 
open. 

reckon the coast is clear, just here- 
abouts,’^ he reported. 

Dave had a dark lantern under his coat. 
Bob still retained the iron bar with which 
he had fought his way from the engine- 
room. 

They were in a narrow passageway. At 
its end was a smooth plank door. 

‘‘That leads to the specimen room,” said 
Bob. “Plark!” 

Both stopped and listened. The echoes of 
a crash reached their ears. It sounded hol- 
low. 

“That’s below deck,” said Dave. 

“Sounded as if it came from the direction 
of the engine-room,” added Bob. 

“It probably did,” assented Dave. “It is 
some of the Raven gang trying to scout out 
the hold. The treasure is what they are look- 
ing for, of course. They don’t know where 
to begin. They are smashing their way from 
forward. It will be some time before they 
reach the stern compartments. There ’s time 
— lots of time.” 


DANGEE SCOUTS 


59 


‘‘What to dor ’ inquired Bob, who as usual 
allowed Dave to take the lead. 

‘ ‘ Come with me, and see. ^ ^ 

They finally stood in the specimen room. 
Dave went straight to the zinc tank holding 
the iron treasure chest. 

‘ ‘ It seems a pity to think of all that money 
going into the hands of those miserable rob- 
bers, doesnT itV’ asked Dave. 

“Say!’’ exclaimed Bob, his eyes protrud- 
ing, “you are not thinking of saving or mov- 
ing that ? ’ ’ 

“Oh, dear, no — as to moving it, we wouldn’t 
be able,” answered Dave. “As to saving it 
— ^maybe. ’ ’ 

“I don’t see how.” 

Dave was busy shifting the dark lantern 
across the shelves containing Doctor Bar- 
roll’s chemical outfit. 

“The very thing!” he said at last, taking 
down a labeled frame- jacketed glass jar. 


CHAPTER IX 


SHUT OUT 

Dave had seen Doctor Barrell experiment 
with many of his chemicals, and he knew just 
what the contents of the glass jar would do, 
and how to use it. 

Dave carried the jar to the treasure tank. 
The water in it covered the sunken iron chest 
four inches over its top. 

When he decanted some of the liquid into 
the tank the clear water grew muddy. Then 
it turned to a dense purplish black. 

Dave got another jar and emptied some 
grease-like mixture into the tank also. 

The treasure chest was now completely 
hidden from view. 

‘ ‘ They may think it to be a tank of oil, or a 
specimen receptacle like the others,^’ said 
Dave. 

‘ ‘ I don’t know, ’ ’ murmured Bob, dubiously. 
‘‘I believe they’ll rip the hold to flinders, 
until they find the gold they have come 
after.” 


60 


SHUT OUT 


61 


‘‘Well, this all means delay, anyhow, said 
Dave. ^‘The longer they are about it, the 
better for us. Now, Bob, to business, and 
quick and wary, you know.’’ 

‘ ^ What ’s your programme, Dave ? ’ ’ 

^‘Food and water, the first thing. There’s 
a lot of canned goods in the far stern room. 
Water isn’t so easy. I don’t believe we can 
get any without venturing on deck. ’ ’ 

‘ ^ That would be risky. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ It has got to be done, though, ’ ’ said Dave, 
resolutely. 

‘^You’re the boss, Dave. I’ll venture 
where you lead.” 

They came to the room where Dave had 
been captured by Pete Rackley. Dave 
selected from the stores a dozen cans of meats 
and some tinned biscuits. He also picked out 
half a dozen bottles of mineral water. 

‘‘That is our best, for the present,” he 
said. “Let us get these goods to the cap- 
tain. ’ ’ 

They did this, retracing their steps. A 
knock at the barred door brought Captain 
Broadbeam to its other side with a low-toned 
challenge. 

Dave answered. The welcome stores were 
handed in. 


62 CKtnSE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 

will report back soon,’’ said Dave. 

‘‘Better leave well-enough alone, lad,” sug- 
gested Captain Broadbeam. 

“I want to learn the condition of our 
crew. ’ ’ 

The two explorers pursued their way. 
Twice in passing along the gangways they 
were startled by crashes. These, caused by 
the forcing of doors, were much nearer than 
the one which had first announced the pres- 
ence of their enemies in the hold. 

“We want to hustle,” said Bob. “They’ll 
soon be in this part of the ship. ’ ’ 

Bob directed, but Dave kept in advance. 
The young engineer said there was one pas- 
sageway leading to a deck-cubby. 

He had never been there but once. That 
was when he first took service with the Swal- 
low. He blundered a good deal in his calcu- 
lations, and they made several blind turns 
and once got wholly mixed up. 

Finally they came to where an oblong door 
rested in a casing. 

It had a lock, and it took a big key to fit it. 
On the under side was an iron handle. 

“It has got spring hinges,” said Bob; 
‘ ‘ see ? You can unlock it only on this side. I 
suppose it’s for light and ventilation when 


SHUT OUT 


63 


they clean np below deck. You hold the lock 
turned, ITl pull.” 

Dave turned the key, and Boh tugged 
at the handle. The door came open very 
slowly. 

‘^Squeeze through and take a look,” 
directed Bob. ‘‘Easy now — I see the ship 
lights. ’ ’ 

Dave did as directed. He slipped the bunch 
of keys in his pocket and, creeping forward, 
landed on a flooring littered with ropes, cord- 
age, and hammocks. 

‘ ‘ It seems to be a catch-all under the lee of 
the wheelhouse. Bob,” he whispered back to 
his companion. 

‘ ‘ Open in front ? ’ ^ 

“Yes, it’s only a few feet long.” 

‘ ‘ Shall I come through ? ’ ’ 

“Won’t the door close to?” 

“Not if I brace it. There, that’s all right. 
Oh, bother!” 

Bob had taken his iron bar and set it 
obliquely from the casing to the uplifted tim- 
ber. 

It had slipped and fallen back near him. 
In an instant, with quite a slam the door shut 
tight. 

Dave heard the lock click. His heart sank 


64 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

a trifle. His recent comrade was shut in, and 
he was shut out. 

The spring hinges and the spring lock did 
their double duty. Bob did not have the keys 
to reopen the door, and on Dave’s side — the 
outside — there was no keyhole. 

Dave was dismayed for a moment. He 
was under a roof about two feet high. Be- 
yond the litter choking up the space he 
could see the deck and persons moving 
about. 

He could catch the sound of BoK’s fingers 
clawing at the door vainly. He could also 
hear vaguely the young engineer’s mutter- 
ings of disappointment and disgust. 

Dave tapped on the barrier that separated 
them. He pressed his lips close to the under 
edge of the door. 

‘^Bob! Bob!” he whispered, as loudly as 
he dared. ^ ^ Can you hear me I ’ ’ 

There was a vague, unintelligible sound of 
reply. Dave whispered harder. Bob’s tones 
were a mere mumble. Through that thick 
wood it was evident no ordinary sound could 
penetrate. 

Dave wanted to order his comrade back to 
the cabin. As to himself, he was forced to go 
forward. 


SHUT OUT 


65 


He tapped once again on the door. Then 
he directed a glance beyond his shelter. 

No one seemed particularly near. To- 
wards the forecastle three or four ribald 
voices rang out in a song. 

‘ ^ Bob ! ’ ’ he ventured to fairly shout now — 
just once — ‘^go back. ITl pull through, some 
way. ’ ’ 

Whether Bob heard or not the signaler did 
not know. 

Instantly, as he ceased to call out, Dave’s 
entire attention was centered away from that 
door, and before him. 

At the edge of the open roof of his shelter 
there appeared a pair of shuffling feet. 

Their owner stooped down. 

He struck the barrel of a rifle under the 
slanting roof of the cubby. 

^^Out of that!” he ordered in a grutf, 
threatening tone. ^‘Who are you!” 


CHAPTER X 


GETTING OUT OF A TIGHT PLACE 

Dave Fearless lay perfectly still, but he 
quivered with apprehension. 

Against the reflection showing from some 
deck light, he could discern the outlines of a 
human form. 

The rifle-barrel poked a half-circle around. 
Its focus was almost directly towards the 
spot where Dave lay. 

‘‘Hear meT’ shouted the man who held it. 
“I heard you. Out with you, or I’ll fire.” 

Dave was about to reveal himself. He did 
not court death like a rat in a trap. 

Just then, however, another voice sounded, 
and another pair of feet joined those first 
observed by Dave. 

“Wliat’s the row, mate?” asked the new- 
comer. 

‘ ‘ Someone is hiding under there. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Eh, how do you know I ’ ’ 

“Heard him.” 

“Sure of that?” 


66 


GETTING OUT OF A TIGHT PLACE 67 

''I’m on guard to hear and see, ain’t I?” 

"Yes, but this is an occasion for 'seeing’ 
things,” jeered the other voice. "Nesik is 
grogging all hands. Hold on. If you’ve got 
anything real in there, we’ll soon have it 
out.” . 

The last speaker disappeared, and the 
sentinel arose erect. 

Dave made up his mind that he would soon 
be in the hands of the enemy. 

There was no possible chance of retreat. 
However, there was a big mass of tangled 
rope and cordage at one side of the cubby. 

The young diver snuggled down behind 
this, and watched and waited. 

He looked out, like a person through a net- 
work of grass and vines. A glare shot into 
the cubby from a lantern held by the last 
comer on the scene. 

"Why, hello!” exclaimed this individual, 
' ' there is someone here. ’ ’ 

"Didn’t I tell you so?” demanded the 
sentinel. 

"But — it’s one of our own men.” 

"Hey!” 

"Yes, Dobbs. See?” 

"So ’tis,” , muttered the sentinel. "He 
must have been talking in his sleep.” 


68 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


Sleep?’’ chuckled the other. ‘‘Yes, good 
and sound ! He was the first that imp from 
the engine-room hit with the iron bar. He’s 
got a big gash where that bandage is pulled 
over his face.” 

“Hurt much?” 

“You can’t hurt Dobbs, he’s cast iron. 
Must have crawled in here to sleep it off.” 

‘ ‘ Shall I let him be, then ? ’ ’ 

“What else? It’s a waiting game for the 
night, the captain tells me. Dobbs will wake 
up in time for the fighting, if there is 
any. ’ ’ 

Both men now walked away from the spot. 

Dave Fearless had been as much surprised 
as the sentinel, when the companion of the 
latter made his discovery. 

They had not seen or even looked for any 
other occupant of the cubby except their in- 
jured and sleeping mate. 

The man Dobbs lay near the front of the 
cubby. His body and the mass of cordage 
had shielded Dave. 

“That was lucky!” murmured the young 
diver, with a great sigh of relief. 

Dave had no further manifestations of 
Bob’s presence on the other side of the door. 

He did, however, after a minute or two 


GETTING OUT OF A TIGHT PLACE 69 

catch the echo of heavy hammering under 
deck. 

From this Dave theorized that the 
searchers from the Raven were continuing 
their quest for the treasure in the stern part 
of the steamer. 

Probably Bob, warned by their closer ap- 
proach, had gone back to Captain Broadbeam 
and the others to report the disaster to his 
comrade. 

Dave lay still, thinking and planning, for a 
long time. 

At length he ventured to creep further out 
to the edge of the cubby. 

Now he had a fairly clear view of the fore 
part of the steamer. 

The vessel was drifting. Whoever was in 
charge of the engines seemingly had orders 
to lie-to as much as possible. 

At a short distance, to the port, were ship ’s 
lights. Dave doubted not that these belonged 
to the Raven. 

Then Dave took a critical glance about the 
deck of the Swallow. 

Three or four men seemed posted at special 
spots as sentinels. Near by them, or in their 
hands, were rifles. 

They had, however, all of them relaxed any 


10 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


semblance of vigilance. Two were asleep on 
piles of rope, their rifles between their knees. 
One lounged in a hammock, smoking. An- 
other was outstretched bodily on the deck. 

Some of the men he noticed he had never 
seen aboard the Raven, when that steamer 
joined them at the spot where the sunken 
treasure had been recovered. 

Dave therefore surmised that Nesik had in 
some way got additions to his original crew. 

The strange members of the Raven crew 
were a swarthy, reckless-looking lot. Each 
wore a red fez and a big blouse, like the man 
designated as Dobbs. 

This individual, breathing heavily, lay so 
near to him now that Dave could touch him 
with his hand. 

In the momentary flare of the lantern, Dave 
had noticed that Dobbs had rolled up his 
blouse to make a pillow for his head. 

Dave heard noisy, riotous sounds from the 
forecastle. The crew of the Swallow were 
penned in there. 

He felt that he must learn the conditions 
existing among them. After some serious 
thought Dave decided to take a risk and try 
to find out what had happened to them. 

Dave crawled close up to the unconscious 


GETTESTG OUT OF A TIGHT PLACE 71 

Dobbs. It was no trick at all to lift off bis 
red fez without disturbing him. 

As Dave gently pulled at the folded-up 
blouse, however, the slumberer moved and 
mumbled. 

After a minute’s waiting Dave gave the 
blouse another tug. 

It was finally in his possession, and its 
owner slept on profoundly. 

Dave now set to work to disguise himself. 
He pulled the fez well down over his face. 
He smeared his cheeks and nose with some 
soot adhering to the cobwebs under the roof 
of his shelter, blown and lodged there from 
the engine funnels. 

Dave put on the blouse. He found two 
handkerchiefs in his own coat. These he ruf- 
fled and smudged, and tied them about his 
face in a broad, enveloping bandage. 

Watching his chance when no one was 
strolling near, Dave crept very quietly out 
on deck. 

The light was so set that it left one .side of 
the steamer in a deep shadow. 

Dave skulked along the rail in the direction 
of the forecastle. 

He assumed a staggering, irregular gait, 
like a man ill or dizzy-headed. 


12 CKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


The sentinel in the hammock and the one 
lying on the deck were chatting. 

They were the breadth of the deck away 
from Dave. The latter had only about ten 
feet to cover, when the intervening cabin 
would shut him out from view. 

Dave believed the men engrossed in their 
chatter, with wits nowise alert. He ventured 
along in the shadow, hugging the rail closely. 

Suddenly there came a sharp hail, a warn- 
ing click, and the man in the hammock sat up 
with the peremptory call : 

‘‘Hey, there, matey, give an account of 
yourself ! ’ ’ 


/ 


CHAPTER XI 


SPYING THE ENEMY 

The man who had hailed Dave stirred in 
the hammock. He lifted his feet to the deck 
as if preparing to come over to the skulker. 

Dave knew that discovery was sure if the 
sentinel should come up close to him. 

‘H^ll play the game out far as it will go/’ 
thought the young diver. 

Dave lunged forward nearly flat. He 
picked himself up and clung to the rail. 

He leaned over the rail and pretended to 
be generally unsteady, miserable, and sick. 

His actions disarmed the sentinel. Still, 
the latter moved lazily, as if bent on coming 
over to see who he was. 

^^Who are you, anyway?” asked the man. 

Dave mumbled out some hoarse mutter- 
ings. He picked up an empty bottle and 
threw it clumsily towards his challenger. 
Then he stumbed flat. The two men laughed. 

‘‘Oh, let him find his bed,” spoke one of 
them 


73 


14 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 

Dave rolled and tumbled out of tlieir range 
of vision. They paid no further attention to 
him. 

As Dave got near the forecastle he looked 
in through a window. 

Here, it seemed, the crew of the Raven, 
when they first boarded the ship, had driven 
Captain Broadbeam’s men. 

Dave felt quite disheartened as he viewed 
the interior of the place. 

It was filled with over half a dozen of 
Nesik’s hirelings. There were eight men in 
the active crew of the Swallow, These, too, 
were in the forecastle. 

Two of them, quite old men, lay in a corner, 
tied hand and foot. 

Dave decided that these had put up a fight. 
Their faces and clothing bore traces of rough 
usage. 

They had probably declined to treat with 
the marauders in any manner, and had 
therefore been deprived of their free- 
dom. 

A sight of six other members of the crew of 
the Swallow made Dave’s heart sink rather 
hopelessly. 

At a glance, he realized that no dependence 
whatever could be placed on their cooperation 


SPYING THE ENEMY 


15 


in an attempt to recover possession of the 
steamer. 

There was a long table in the forecastle. 
It was surrounded by eaters and drinkers. 
The first thing done by ’the marauders had 
been to pillage the cook^s galley. 

The table was loaded with food and bottles 
of strong liquors. 

It looked as if the crew of the Swallow 
had first been cowed. Then they had been 
induced to make the best of it. Seeing them- 
selves helpless, sailor-like they had not dis- 
dained the free fare set before them, but ac- 
cepted things with the best grace possible. 

It looked probable also that some of them 
had been promised a share in the treasure, 
and had joined the crowd now holding the 
upper hand. 

Dave reckoned, therefore, that the actual 
resisting force of the Swalloiv did not exceed 
six persons. 

The fighting strength of the Raven on 
board was perhaps double that number. 

All of the latter were armed. Besides, they 
undoubtedly could call an equal reserve force 
from the Raven, now lying-to in the near 
offing. 

Four of the crew of the Swallow lay snor- 


76 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


ing under the table. Dave guessed that they 
might have been drugged. 

<< There is nothing to look for in there/’ 
said Dave, disappointedly. ‘ ‘ Captain Broad- 
beam will feel pretty blue over the crew out- 
look.’*’ 

Dave did not remain around that quarter 
long. Men were passing to and fro from the 
cook’s galley and the engine-room. 

Some ran directly across him. Dave kept 
in the shadow, and the red fez and the blouse 
passed as a badge of fellowship. 

Dave next ventured to the weather house 
near the wheel. 

Only two persons were there. One was 
dozing in a chair. This was Lemuel Hankers. 

Puffing at a cigarette, and stretched full 
length on a cot chair, was his son, Bart Han- 
kers. 

Dave’s blood boiled as he recognized these 
persons. They were the cause of all his 
father’s troubles and his own. 

The money of the elder Hankers had fitted 
out the Raven expedition. The bad counsel 
of the thoroughly bad Bart had probably as- 
sisted in the recent attack on the Swallow, 

‘‘I wonder how they can ever face honest 
men if they rob us of that fortune,” thought 


SPYING THE ENEMY 


17 


Dave Fearless. ^ ^ I wonder what has become 
of Captain Nesik and Cal Vixen 

Dave cautiously explored several parts of 
the steamer. Finally he drew near to the 
main cabin. 

This proved his most difficult point to re- 
connoiter. Some men armed with rifles 
sat on stools just at the side of the entrance 
steps. 

Dave managed to get around on the side 
opposite to them. The cabin was lighted up, 
and he had a clear view of the interior 
through an open sash. 

There was only one person in the cabin. 
It was the commander of the Raven, 


CHAPTER XII 




A BOLD MOVE 

Captain Nesik sat at a table. He had an 
open chart before him. 

The worthless commander of the Raven 
looked flushed and muddled, though not so 
much so as those of his crew whom Dave had 
recently seen. 

Nesik was a trifle unsteady in his manner, 
but he studied and marked the chart as if he 
knew his business. 

Dave guessed that he was planning a course 
for the two steamers he now had in charge. 

Suddenly Dave’s attention was directed to 
an outside circumstance. 

He got down behind some folded camp- 
stools and glanced towards the engine-room. 
A great commotion had arisen there. 

As many as seven men trooped up the steps 
to the deck. 

They were coatless and perspiring. Some 
had hatchets. Others had crowbars and 
heavy cudgels. 


78 


A BOLD MOVE 


79 


They were all talking at once, their confus- 
ing voices making a great babel, in which at 
first Dave could catch nothing. 

He soon made out, however, that this 
crowd comprised the party who had been 
scouring the hold of the Swallow in a search 
for the treasure. 

That they had not succeeded in their quest, 
their disappointed manner and words soon 
convinced Dave. 

‘*It^s aboard, isn’t it?” growled a big, 
swaggering fellow. ^‘And the captain and 
those with him shut in ^mnder know it, don’t 
they?” 

reckon they do,” answered Cal Vixen, 
v/ho led the party. He now piloted them to- 
wards the forecastle. 

‘‘Then,” said the first speaker, “have them 
out and make them tell. ’ ’ 

“Yes, starve them till they do!” shouted 
another voice. 

“The captain will attend to all that,” an- 
swered Vixen. “You obey his orders, and 
wait his time. He knows to an inch just how 
far we dare go. Here, lads, rest and refresh 
yourselves a bit. I’ll go and report to Cap- 
tain Nesik, and have a confab with him over 
matters.” 


80 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


All hands trooped into the forecastle. 
Dave grew weary, watching and waiting. 

For over an hour there proceeded from the 
forecastle continually increasing sounds of 
rioting. 

Finally, Cal Vixen came out. The tempta- 
tion to drink had been too much for him. 
He was almost unable to reach the cabin with- 
out falling down. 

As he went down the steps, Dave drew near 
again to the open window. 

Captain Nesik must have been dozing over 
the chart. He looked up, startled and con- 
fused, as Vixen dropped into a vacant chair 
at the table. 

‘‘Oh, it’s you. Vixen?” spoke the captain 
of the Raven, 

“Me it is,” mumbled the diver. 

“Well, what have you found below?” 

Vixen tried to assume an important, in- 
jured air. His eyelids were heavy, and his 
tones thick and muffled. 

“Nothing,” he answered. 

“You did not locate the treasure?” de- 
manded Nesik. 

“Treasure? Is there any treasure?” re- 
torted Vixen with a scornful laugh. “You 
say there is. I never saw it. Who did?” 


A BOLD MOVE 


81 


^^That is nonsense!’’ cried Nesik, sharply. 
“Those Fearlesses brought np a whole div- 
ing-bell full of bags of gold coin.” 

‘ ‘ How do you know what was in the bags ! ’ ’ 
challenged Vixen. “Maybe it was sand. 
Maybe they only tried to fool and tantalize 
us. Say, Captain Nesik, if there’s any treas- 
ure aboard the Sivallow, it’s hid good and 
tight. And if you expect to find it, the Fear- 
lesses will have to show you.” 

Vixen pronounced these last words sleepily. 
His eyes blinked, and he sat further back in 
his chair. 

Captain Nesik arose to his feet. He 
seemed to be quite stirred up, if not actually 
( alarmed, at the disheartening report of his 
underling. 

“Did you search closely?” he demanded, 
hoarsely. 

A snore answered him. Vixen’s head hung 
over the chair. 

“Do you hear?” shouted Nesik, angrily. 
Vixen mumbled some unintelligible words. 
His hands slid along the arms of the chair. 
His body followed a downward momentum. 
He rolled under the table in a heap. 

Captain Nesik muttered some angry words. 
His back was to the watching Dave, but the 


82 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


latter could see that he was in a mental quan- 
dary, and anxious and irritated. 

^‘It’s now or never!’’ said the young diver 
to himself in a quick breath. 

Dave had felt his helplessness as to doing 
anything to assist his imprisoned friends up 
to the present time. 

There had now, however, flashed into his 
mind a bold, hazardous project. 

Dave realized that unless he soon took some 
decisive action, it would fare ill with Captain 
Broadbeam and his friends. 

Captain Nesik, he knew, was no halfway 
man, once started on a plan. His assistants, 
too, were persons of little conscience or 
mercy. 

His subordinates, fired up with drink, with 
no thought in their minds but gold, would 
prove dangerous, perhaps bloodthirsty, if 
they got it into their heads that some of their 
prisoners could tell where the treasure was 
hidden. 

Dave roused himself to carry out a very 
daring exploit. This was nothing less than 
to drop into the cabin, confront Captain 
Nesik, and make him a prisoner. 

If he could corner and scare Nesik for as 
much as two minutes, he felt sure that with 


A BOLD MOVE 


83 


the quick cooperation of his friends in the 
inner cabin he could make Nesik a captive 
along with Pete Rackley. 

Then they would indeed hold the upper 
hand, and could dictate their own terms to the 
motly crew who now had possession of the 
steamer. 

Dave moved silently up to the window. He 
awaited the right moment. 

The young diver was spry, athletic, and 
sure-footed. He thrust his feet forward 
and landed noiselessly on the floor of the 
cabin. 

There was a sound under the table. It was 
a half-groan. Dave stepped aside quickly as 
he was conscious that he had landed on Cal 
Vixen’s outstretched hand. 

But he did not stop to consider that help- 
less, muddled foe. As Captain Nesik faced 
around as if bent on going on deck and giving 
some orders, Dave reached out a hand. 

He pushed the man forcibly back against 
the side of the cabin, until he was not two feet 
from the door on the other side of which were 
Dave’s faithful friends. 

In amazement Captain Nesik stared at the 
person confronting him. 

His lips moved to speak, but utterance was 


84 CKUISE OF THE TEEASUKE SHIP 


checked as his eye fell upon a weapon in 
Dave’s hand. 

It was the pocket pistol the young diver 
had come across in ransacking the inner 
cabin. 

It was not loaded, but Dave had brought it 
into play to strengthen his position. It 
answered all present purposes. 

^‘Captain Nesik,” said Dave, looking his 
captive threateningly in the eye, ‘‘you have 
driven us to a desperate corner. Don’t stir, 
don’t speak. I will take no chances, now I’ve 
got you.” 

Nesik was completely cowed. He gasped 
and turned pale. Dave saw victory in sight. 
He turned to face the inner door to apprise 
his friends of the situation. 

In another moment they might have had 
the dumbfounded Nesik a safe prisoner along 
with Pete Hackley, had not something un- 
looked for transpired. 

Dave’s ankles were suddenly clutched. He 
was pulled from his footing and fell flat on 
the floor of the cabin. 


CHAPTER XIII 


IN BAD HANDS 

Cal Vixen had been aroused more than 
Dave had thought when the latter stepped on 
his hand. 

It was the diver from the Raven who had 
clutched Dave’s feet and pulled him pros- 
trate. 

Captain Nesik dropped upon Dave like a 
vulture on its prey. He snatched the harm- 
less weapon from Dave’s hand, and shouted 
loudly. 

The frightened commander of the Raven 
made a terrific racket. Not only his direct 
guards from outside, but those in the fore- 
castle came trooping to the spot. 

Soon the cabin was crowded with an eager, 
excited mob. 

Dave was instantly seized by two of the 
guards. Cal Vixen staggered to his feet. 

‘^So it’s you, is it!” he muttered, peering 
in Dave’s face. 

^ ^ Hello ! ’ ’ piped a new voice, and Bart Han- 

85 


86 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


kers stared wonderingly over the shoulders 
of the crowd. 

Where did you come from?^’ demanded 
Captain Nesik, recovering somewhat his of- 
ficial dignity. 

Dave saw the uselessness of words, and did 
not reply. 

‘‘Make him speak, captain,” said Vixen. 
‘ ‘ He knows all about the treasure. ’ ’ 

“Yes, he must know,” chimed in Bart Han- 
kers, “seeing that it’s his.” 

‘ ‘ Thank you, ’ ’ spoke Dave now, directly at 
Bart. “You told the truth for once.” 

Bart Hankers flushed with embarrassment. 
Then he grew angry. 

“See here. Captain Nesik,” he said, “we 
hired you to do something.” 

“Yes, and this isn’t business,” put in old 
Lemuel Hankers. “There’s no head nor tail 
to anything. A word with you, captain. ’ ’ 

The twain went over to a retired corner of 
the cabin. 

W^hile they were discussing their affairs in 
private, their hirelings made bold to express 
their views on the matter. 

They had made the present attack under 
the promise that they should receive plenty 
of ready gold 0,s a reward for their services. 


IN BAD HANDS 


SI 


Dave quietly watched and listened. As 
Captain Nesik finally left the side of Lem 
Hankers, Dave saw that the precious pair had 
agreed on some' definite plan. of action. 

Nesik advanced to the barred (^or at the 
rear of the cabin. He tapped on it loudly. 

‘Hn there, Broadbeam!’’ he hailed, in- 
solently. 

‘‘Say your say, you villain!’’ responded 
blutf tones. 

‘ ‘ We want to give you a warning and a last 
chance. We can’t hold our crew down, and 
there ’s going to be trouble. ’ ’ 

“That’s your lookout,” retorted Broad- 
beam, spicily. 

“And your friend’s out here — Dave Fear- 
less.” 

“What! what!” cried Captain Broadbeam. 

“We’ve got him. Unlock that door, sur- 
render unconditionally. ’ ’ 

“Yes, we’ll throw him overboard if you 
don’t!” put in Cal Vixen. 

“Bring him on deck!” shouted one of the 
crew of the Raven. 

“Take him along,” directed Nesik to the 
guards. “I’ll see if I can’t beat some reason 
into the head of that stubborn old water rat, 
Broadbeam. ’ ’ 


88 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Dave was led to the deck. The two guards 
let him sit down on a stool near the wheel- 
house, but they watched him closely. 

Dave did not believe that any of the crew 
really meditated such a cruel proceeding as 
that threatened, of throwing him overboard. 

He could fancy the anxiety of his father 
and staunch old Captain Broadbeam. 

Half of the Raven following had come on 
deck. Soon Bart Hankers made his appear- 
ance. His face wore a sneering look as he 
came up to where Dave sat. 

‘‘You haven’t done much, with all your 
smartness!” he jeered. “Your precious 
friends have given in.” 

Dave did not reply. 

“And we’ll swing your old man up by the 
heels but we’ll get track of that treasure.” 

The insulting manner and words of the 
conscienceless young villain drove loyal Dave 
to the limit. He made a sudden spring. 

“You cur!” he said, and struck out. 

With a shriek Bart Hankers went stum- 
bling backwards. With a slide his body 
struck the slant towards the movable rail 
gate. This had been left open after the ar- 
rival of the two yawl-loads from the Raven, 
With a splash Bart Hankers went overboard. 


IN BAD HANDS 


89 


Dave had not meditated such a tragic at- 
tack. There was a rush to the side and yells 
from the water below. 

A rope was cast over the side. Dave was 
not sorry when his enemy was pulled on deck, 
dripping like a half-drowned rat. 

There was a movement from the direction 
of the cabin. A single glance made Dave’s 
heart sink with doubt and defeat. 

Whatever terms Captain Broadbeam had 
agreed to, he had surrendered. 

Guarded by a double file of Nesik’s rabble 
crew, the old mariner walked across the 
deck. 

Amos Fearless, Doctor Barrell, Bob Vilett, 
and Pat Stoodles filed dejectedly after him. 

Pete Eackley had been relieved from his 
handcutfs. He reminded Dave of some 
venomous snake, as he hovered about the 
skirts of the crowd. 

Captain Nesik signaled for a halt. He 
faced his fallen foe, but at a safe distance. 

‘ ‘ Broadbeam, ’ ’ he said with insolent famil- 
iarity, ‘^we offer you back your ship on cer- 
tain terms.” 

‘‘You scoundrel,” roared Captain Broad- 
beam, “I’ll make no terms with such as you.” 

“Turn up the treasure,” Nesik continued 


90 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


to Amos Fearless, ‘‘and we ^11 divide with 
you . ' ^ 

“No,” said the old diver, simply but firmly. 

“Then we’ll take all of it — it’s ours any- 
way,” sounded Lem Hankers’ voice from the 
crowd. 

“Mates,” said Nesik to the rough crew 
about him, “you hear these stubborn gentle- 
men. We’ve got the upper hand. Do we 
keep it ? ” 

“Yes ! yes !” 

“That treasure is somewhere aboard this 
ship. We’re bound to find it. In for a 
penny, in for a pound. They won’t be rea- 
sonable. What do you want done with 
them ? ” 

“Put them off on an island,” said Pete 
Eackley. 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE MAKOONERS 

this the last of our treasure and our 

ship 1 ’ ’ 

Captain Broadbeam looked downcast as he ' 
gazed seawards. 

^‘It looks that way, captain,’’ said Amos 
Fearless. 

The threats of the crew of the Raven had 
been carried out. The loyal defenders of the 
Swalloiv had been put off on a tropical 
island which had been sighted just at dawn, 
about two hours after Captain Broadbeam 
and his friends had been driven into the 
shelter house aboard their own ship. 

Eight armed men had guarded them there. 
They had attempted no resistance, for this 
would have invited a contest in which the 
Swallow men would get the worst of it. 

The valiant old sea captain had positively 
declined to treat with their captors in any 
way whatever. 


91 


92 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


^^ITl not break the record,’^ he observed 
meaningly to Nesik. ‘‘This is a hanging 
matter, as it stands.’’ 

“If you want the treasure, find it,” spoke 
Amos Fearless, quite as decidedly. “It’s 
highway robbery, and you’ll all be brought 
up short somewhere along the line.” 

Bart Hankers nursed a swollen, discolored 
eye. He kept pretty well away from the 
prisoners. 

Lemuel Hankers hovered around, decidedly 
uneasy. Dave, watching him, saw him more 
than once engage Nesik in confidential con- 
fab. 

Evidently he was urging the captain to try 
and make some kind of terms with the Swal- 
low people. 

Cal Vixen, however, usually managed to 
break into these little conferences. His ges- 
tures showed that he dissented to all that the 
elders Hankers proposed. 

Then Pete Rackley would put in a word of 
the same general tenor. He would slip in 
among the crew. A deputation of desperate- 
looking fellows would then surround Nesik 
and the elder Hankers. 

“Lem Hankers sees the bad fix he is get- * 
ting into by seizing the treasure and maroon- 


THE MAROONERS 


93 


ing us,’’ Dave observed to Captain Broad- 
beam. 

‘‘They’ll carry out the plan, lad, all the 
same,” prophesied the captain; “see if they 
don’t.” 

Sure enough, after sighting land a quick 
run was made to the westward. 

The two yawls from the Raven were gotten 
ready. The Swallow party was divided. 
Boadbeam, Doctor Barrell, and Amos Fear- 
less were put in one boat, Dave, Bob Vilett, 
and Pat Stoodles in the other, and they were 
rowed towards land. 

Captain Nesik looked uneasy as he tried to 
make a last compromise with Captain Broad- 
beam. 

The latter cut him short with the words : 

“Pay us for the delay you have caused us, 
get off our ship bag and baggage, sign a true 
statement of all the facts in the case, and I ’ll 
go as light on you as I can when I report this 
act of piracy to the authorities at San Fran- 
cisco. ’ ’ 

At this the listening crew of the Raven set 
up ugly and derisive shouts. But Lemuel 
Hankers shook with apprehension, and Nesik 
did not look very happy. 

They threw a bag of biscuits into one of the 


94 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


yawls. Doctor Barrell made an appeal to 
Nesik to prevent the destruction of his treas- 
ured specimens. 

He also asked to be allowed to have his 
analyzing case, which was given him. 

It was half an hour after they had been put 
ashore on a strange barren neck of land that 
Captain Broadbeam made the dispiriting re- 
mark that heads this chapter. 

Dave stood by the side of his father, watch- 
ing the sea. 

The Raven had kept in line with the Swal- 
low since land had been sighted. 

Now both steamers struck a course due 
south. They skirted the coast of the island. 
Finally a land projection shut them com- 
pletely out of view. 

Captain Broadbeam stood closing and un- 
closing his sinewy fingers. He was wrestling 
with powerful thoughts. 

Amos Fearless looked quite depressed. He 
was getting old and he had planned a very 
pleasant future with the Washington fortune 
so rudely wrested from them. 

‘ ^ Of course they will find the treasure, ’ ’ he 
sighed. ‘ ‘ They will probably burn the Swal- 
loiVy make for some foreign port, divide the 
gold, and disband.’^ 


THE MAKOONERS 


95 


a bad fix tbeyVe left us in, cer- 
tainly,’’ said the captain. ^ 

Pat Stoodles had strolled away from the 
main party along the beach. 

Dave noticed that he once in a while picked 
up shells and examined them curiously. 

He paid attention also to the trees and 
shrubs. Once he imitated the call of some 
gay-plumaged birds at a distance, and they 
responded. 

Doctor Barrel! had his scientific case open 
on the sand at his side. He was polishing 
the tools and magnifying-glass it contained. 
Nothing could daunt the old savant. He was 
in the midst of wild nature and thinking only 
of exploring its wonders. 

Bob Vilett had gone to a distance. He was 
emptying out his pockets on a flat stone. He 
seemed to have quite a mass of stutf before 
him. 

Dave Fearless took a critical survey of 
their surroundings. The last line of smoke 
from the two steamers had faded away. The 
young diver turned his back on the sea as if 
closing an old chapter in his life and begin- 
ning a new one. 

Then he walked over to where Bob Vilett 
stood, and conversed with him a bit. When 


96 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


he came back to the others he found Captain 
Broadbeam cleaning out the barrels of the 
big navy revolver. 

‘^Did they let you keep that, captain?’^ said 
Dave, in some surprise. 

Captain Broadbeam shrugged his shoul- 
ders. 

^‘Seeing it was empty, yes,” he said. 
‘^Precious little else they’ve left us, though. 
I Ve got just two cartridges in my pocket.” 

‘‘You are mistaken, captain,” said Dave, 
hopefully. “I have been sort of taking an 
inventory of things. We are not so awfully 
bad otf as you think. There’s the bag of 
biscuits, plenty of shellfish around, and a 
little fresh-water creek over yonder. That 
settles the provender question, captain, 
doesn’t it, now?” 

The shock of the sudden transportation 
from the deck of his staunch steamer to the 
wilderness, however, still depressed the 
captain. 

“Ship gone, crew gone, bested by that 
measly crowd — I can’t get over it all in a 
minute, lad,” he said. 

“Well, we must think of the present now, 
and provide for what may be facing us,” said 
Dave. “See, captain,” and Dave held up a 


THE MAROONERS 


97 


box. full of cartridges, and they ^t 

your revolver.’^ 

^‘Why, is that soT’ exclaimed Broadbeam, 
with interest. 

Yes, I am sure of it.” 

^ ^ Where did you get them ? ^ ^ 

^‘From Bob Vilett. He seems to have filled 
his pockets with everything he could find 
lying around loose in the rear cabin while you 
were shut up there, tie has got two knives, 
a lot of matches, an old pistol, powder, bul- 
lets, caps, and some fishhooks. Doctor Bar- 
rel! has his scientific case, and that makes him 
happy. We have, therefore, fire, food, and 
the means of defending ourselves from wild 
beasts and savages. I don’t think that is the 
worst outlook in the world, do you, father?” 

^‘No, I don’t, Dave,” answered Amos Fear- 
less, promptly. ^^What is better, we are in 
the right. I have great faith in things turn- 
ing out as they should. Come, captain, don’t 
be blue. We are a crowd that sticks together, 
and we’ll make the best of things and trust in 
Providence. ’ ’ 

They all felt more hopeful after a full 
meal of biscuits, oysters, and some wild ber- 
ries, very sweet and luscious, brought in from 
his rumblings by Stoodles. 


98 CKUISE OF THE TREASUEE SHIP 


They freely discussed their situation. 
Dave suggested that they should start after 
breakfast and explore their immediate sur- 
roundings. 

^‘The land rises quite high to the south/ ^ 
he said. ^‘With a better view, we may be 
able to find out how big an island we are on. ’ ’ 

‘‘If we had any idea of our exact location, 
we might do a little calculating,^’ observed 
Captain Broadbeam. “We were pretty well 
out of the regular course of ships yesterday. 
Since then I have lost all idea of our bear- 
ings.” 

“I wonder what island this is, anyway?” 
spoke Bob Vilett. 

“Begorra!” said Pat Stoodles. He said 
it in a kind of a groan. All eyes were fixed 
curiously upon him. 

“What’s the matter, Stoodles?” chal- 
lenged Captain Broadbeam. 

‘ ‘ Acushla ! ’ ’ muttered Stoodles in a hollow 
tone, and shook his head dismally. 

“Avast, there! no larks,” cried the cap- 
tain. ‘ ‘ What are you getting at ? ” 

“Bob wants to know what island we’re 
on?” said Stoodles. 

“That’s it — do you know?” 

“Faith I do — too well.” 


THE MAROONERS 


99 


‘ ^ Speak out, then. ’ ’ 

“It’s my island,” announced Stoodles. 
“Your island?” 

“Yes, your honor. According to the shells, 
and the posies, and the bur-ruds, it’s the same 
murtherin’ spot that I was king of before 
Dave here rescued me from the savages.” 


L Of C. 


CHAPTER XV 


ALONE WITH A PUMA 

The announcement made by Pat Stoodles 
was an alarming one. 

If his statement was correct, Dave Fearless 
at once decided that they had little to hope 
for and much to fear. 

He remembered very vividly his previous 
experience here, when, with Bob Vilett, he 
had left the Sivallow on a tour of exploration 
and both had got lost. 

As already related in ‘‘The Rival Ocean 
Divers,’’ the two, boys had met with some 
stirring adventures. 

They had several encounters with the na- 
tives. Finally they had escaped back to the 
Swalloiv. 

In this they were joined by Pat Stoodles.'* 
He had been wrecked on the island some six 
years before. The natives had made him 
their king. 

Stoodles, however, did not have much 
power nor comfort. His subjects were watch- 
100 


ALONE WITH A PUMA 


101 


ful and afraid of him. He was simply a kind 
of royaf captive and he was tired of it. 

His life among the savages had in a meas- 
ure affected his mind and general health. He 
was quite ill on board the Sivallow, but had 
later been getting back slowly into normal 
condition. 

‘‘My!’’ said Bob Vilett, his eyes snapping, 
“have we got to tackle that bloodthirsty 
crowd again!” 

“Are you sure this is the same island, 
Stoodles!” asked Dave. 

‘ ‘ Begorra, I am 1 ’ ’ answered Pat. ‘ ‘ There ’s 
the same marks of nature. Didn’t I pipe a 
call to the bur-ruds ! And, saucy as you like, 
they gave me back as good as I sent. It was 
just as natural as an old friend saying, ‘How 
do you do yourself I’ ” 

“What part of the island are we on, 
StoodlesI” inquired Captain Broadbeam. 

“Faith, that I cannot tell,” answered Pat, 
“seeing I don’t remember ever being at this 
exact spot before. Is that east, your 
honor ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ That is east, Pat, ’ ’ responded the captain. 

‘ ‘ Then it ’s west we had better be getting. ’ ’ 

“And why?” 

“As I remember it, the natives live mostly 


102 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


on the east side of the island. All the time I 
was their king, never a ship was sighted that 
way. But twice they brought bits of wreck- 
age and a yawl around from the west. So, 
I be thinking if there is any chance of seeing 
a ship, it is not on this side of the island. ^ ’ 

^ ‘ Seeing a ship once more is the great idea 
in my mind,’’ said Captain Broadbeam. 

We have twice come to this island — ^why not 
others ? There would be some hope in life if 
we could make a camp on the right spot, and 
set up signals and stave otf danger and at- 
tack until relief came. ’ ’ 

^ ‘ Then why not explore a little ! ’ ’ suggested 
Amos Fearless. 

They finally decided upon this course. The 
sun had got pretty hot by this time. Stoodles 
said that they would find it more pleasant and 
safer to travel before ten in the morning and 
after four in the afternoon. 

They therefore fixed upon a little shady 
grove as a temporary camp. 

None of them had got any sleep the night 
previous. All were glad to lie down and re- 
cuperate for a few hours. 

Dave enjoyed about five hours of undis- 
turbed slumber. When he woke up he found 
all the others asleep except Doctor Barrell. 


ALONE WITH A PUMA 


103 


The old scientist had some gaudily colored 
bugs under a glass on a flat stone. 

He was diligently studying them with his 
magnifying lenses. Dave did not care to 
break in on his delightful occupation. He 
selected one of Bob ViletDs hunting-knives 
and cut himself a stout cudgel. Then, stick- 
ing the knife in his belt, he started away from 
the camp. 

Dave had wished to ascend the high point 
of land to the south ever since they had been 
put ashore. 

The promontory was a wooded height, and 
not far from the camp. 

Dave skirted the neck of land, and entering 
a wooded stretch began the ascent. It was 
quite a climb, and took nearly an hour. 

At length he stood on the highest point in 
the landscape. 

Dave was absorbed in the magnificent view 
presented. His glance swept leagues and 
leagues of sea in three directions. Nowhere, 
however, was there the slightest sign of any 
craft on that trackless waste of waters. 

Far as the eye could reach to the south, 
there was hill after hill and forest after 
forest. 

Looking west, Dave fancied that the great 


104 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


stretch of verdure ending in a sort of 
blur had a brief whitish line nearest the 
earth. 

That is the sea again,” he said to himself. 

Dave now studied the prospect in a 
northerly direction. There was a sameness 
to the landscape here, except that in the far 
distance it flattened out into low trees and 
brush. These finally seemed to slant right 
down to and under the water. 

No smoke, no movement, no sign of human 
habitation were anywhere visible. 

Dave rested awhile. He could see the tem- 
porary camp from where he was. It was 
about two miles distant. He could vaguely 
observe forms moving around. 

^ ^ They have woke up and are stirring 
about,” said Dave. had better get back 
to them. ’ ^ 

Dave now began his descent and return to 
the camp. It was shut out from view as soon 
as he got in among the groves. 

He calculated he had descended about two- 
thirds of the way to the lower level, when he 
tripped and fell in among a lot of brambly 
bushes. 

In extracting the tormenting thorns from 
his hands and retying the loose shoestring 


ALONE WITH A PUMA 105 

that had caused the fall, Dave sat down on a 
fallen tree. 

He was ready to resume his journey at 
last, and picked up his cudgel and arose to his 
feet. 

He wheeled straight around at a suspicious 
crackling sound in among some densely 
flowered bushes ten feet away. 

‘Ht is an animal, a wild animal,’’ mur- 
mured Dave. puma!” he exclaimed, 

loudly. 

A furry feline head burst through the 
bushes, and this was followed by sinewy fore- 
shoulders. 

The eyes of the animal were fixed directly 
on Dave. It gave a sort of purring snarl, 
hunched up, and came sailing through the air 
like an arrow. 

Mercy!” gasped Dave, ^Hhere’s no fool- 
ing here ! ’ ’ 

Dave naturally struck out with the only 
weapon he had in his hand, the cudgel. 

It hit the head of the animal, and caused 
it to land and drop back slightly. 

But its powerful jaws closed on the cudgel. 
Dave held on tightly to keep the animal off 
till he could draw his knife. 

With a wrench the puma snapped the cud- 


106 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


gel apart, leaving about four inches of jagged 
end in Dave’s hand. 

Then it sprang at him afresh. Dave struck 
out again. His fist went straight in between 
the open foaming jaws of the puma. 

The hot, slimy froth made his flesh tingle. 
Then as the fragment of hard wood seemed to 
come to a tight wedge Dave let go. 

The puma uttered a frightful cry. Its jaws 
half closed. Then blood ran from its mouth 
in a stream. 

Dave saw what had happened. The frag- 
ment of wood had become lodged between the 
roof and the bottom of its mouth. 

It could not eject it, and its fangs were 
momentarily powerless. 

The puma flung itself flat on the ground. 
Continuing its piercing cries of pain, the 
animal dug frantically at its tortured jaws 
with both clawed feet. 

It was at least a momentary respite for 
Dave Fearless. Drawing his hunting-knife 
now, he began to edge backwards from the 
spot. 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE WATER PIT 

MUST get away from here as quickly as 
I can, ’ ’ thought Dave. 

The puma was now paying no attention to 
Dave. The animal was writhing on the 
ground in agony, tearing at its own mouth 
and attempting to dislodge the wedge that 
locked its jaws. 

Dave realized that if it succeeded, it might 
attack him with a new savage fury that would 
be irresistible. 

Pie kept his face to the puma, as he re- 
treated. The space immediately about him 
was quite level, though covered with thick 
verdure. 

Dave held the knife ready in his right hand 
for use. He kept his eyes fixed on the con- 
vulsing animal. 

He had retreated perhaps thirty feet, when 
he shifted his glance for a moment to look 
down. 


107 


108 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Dave had become aware that he was no 
longer treading on solid ground. 

A glance at his footing made him take a 
quick, short breath. Dave had backed on to 
a piece of tree nearly three feet wide. At a 
little distance was the major part of this 
great Titan of the forest. It had probably 
been blown down in some great storm, and 
this rotted piece had separated from the main 
tree. 

To Dave’s concern this piece bridged a pit- 
like cavity nearly twenty feet across. He 
had unconsciously backed nearly eight feet 
from the edge, and was therefore almost over 
the center of the hole. 

Big and thick as the log was, it did not seem 
to be very strong. It swayed and quivered 
under Dave ’s weight. 

The depth of the pit seemed great, for Dave 
^uld see no bottom. He made up his mind 
to get to solid land as quickly as his feet 
would carry him. 

Dave started forward. Then he halted. 
The puma had suddenly sprung to its four 
feet. It was now advancing. Its eyes rolled 
frightfully. They were glaring and venge- 
ful, and Dave knew that he must prepare for 
another attack. 


THE WATER PIT 


■109 


The way the puma lolled its tongue and 
worked its jaws, Dave saw that it had in 
some way crunched or dislodged the wedge 
that had briefly held it helpless. 

The young diver dared not advance another 
step, for the animal had reached the begin- 
ning of the log. 

Dave could only retreat backwards. This 
he began to do, but slowly and with caution. 
The yawning depths at either side somewhat 
unnerved him. 

The puma stepped out upon the log. Dave 
thrilled as the frail bridge trembled. 

The animal warily advanced. Dave kept 
on retreating. Suddenly the log gave out a 
grinding, tearing sound. Dave felt himself 
sinking. 

As he saw the puma, acting on keen in- 
stinct, leap sideways to safety, Dave gave 
himself up for lost. He could not himself 
clear the space in any direction. 

The log parted just where the puma had 
stood. Dave dropped flat, grasped at a stem 
protuberance, and clung there. 

The next two minutes of his existence he 
could never afterwards recall. He was 
forced to take the only desperate chance in 
sight, and it seemed a poor one. 


110 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


The log shot downwards, the lower end 
striking the side wall of the cavity. The 
other end dropped level. Then it went down. 
Again the log righted. It was wedged 
motionless for a few seconds. It tore free 
again. Dirt and rocks that its course dis- 
lodged rained over Dave. He seemed sink- 
ing to fathomless depths. Darkness gave 
place to light. 

There was a final whirl. This was swifter 
than all the preceding descent. Dave was 
not even bruised so far, but his head was 
dizzy, his breath came quick, his heart beat 
violently. 

Splash ! 

The career of the log came to a sudden end. 
It struck water of some kind and was half 
submerged. Then, righting itself, it floated 
with a gentle, rocking movement. 

Dave lay flat, hugging the log. Part of his 
body was drenched. He carefully got to a 
sitting position. 

There seemed no occasion for extraor- 
dinary caution, however. The log was per- 
fectly steady now. Its surface was broad, 
and Dave felt himself on a safe and reliable 
float. 

What troubled him most was his dubious 


THE WATER PIT 


111 


situation. Where was he? Wliat was the 
distance to the surface of the earth? 

Dave was enveloped in darkness. He 
looked up. Fully fifty feet aloft was a blur 
of dim light — the top of the pit. 

He groped in a pocket where he carried 
his match-safe. This he used in his diving 
operations with his father. It was water- 
tight, and fortunately he had filled it full 
from Bob ViletFs store of matches that 
morning. 

Dave flared a match and looked about him. 
He made out that he was in a perfectly circu- 
lar compartment. 

It had not the remotest suggestion of an 
outlet below. It was to all appearances a 
solid rocky pit, as tight and impregnable as a 
well or cistern of firm masonry. 

Lighting a second match, Dave lifted it 
over his head. 

The base cavity rounded up to the shaft 
down which he had fallen, the end of which 
was fully thirty feet above him. 

Dave Fearless considered that he was 
in an extremely desperate and helpless situ- 
ation. 

There was only one possible avenue of 
egress from the pit of water. 


112 CEUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


That was fifty feet overhead, and he could 
never hope in any way to reach it. 

^‘Unless the captain and the others come 
hunting for me,’^ thought Dave, ‘‘I shall 
never get out of this place. ’ ^ 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE SAVAGES 

Dave spent a very anxious and thoughtful 
hour trying to make out his exact situation. 

He flared a good many matches, but these 
threw only their light on the subject. He 
was a prisoner at the bottom of a great 
natural bottle, the mouth of which was fifty 
feet overhead. As to its bottom, that might 
be fathomless. 

He managed to paddle the log on which he 
sat close up to the rounding walls. These 
were of solid rock, and showed no break any- 
where along their surface. 

The air of the pit was close and fetid, and 
it made Dave feel dull and spiritless. 

Finally he groped in his pocket. He tied 
together some looses pieces of string and a 
fish-line that he found there. 

To the end he attached his pocketknife. 
Dave dropped this plummet as far as the 
cord would allow. 


113 


114 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


‘‘Thirty feet and no bottom,” he mused. 
“It won’t do to fall overboard!” 

One fact kept him guessing : the log main- 
tained a constant rocking motion. The water 
continually swayed as a mass, and this puz- 
zled him. 

“I don’t see that I can do anything but 
wait for something to turn up,” said Dave. 
“Which doesn’t seem a very encouraging 
prospect, by any means,” he added, rather 
gloomily. 

Dave finally stretched himself out on the 
log. The gaseous air acted like a narcotic. 
The dead stillness and the rock-a-bye motion 
of the log lulled him to sleep. 

He had some frightful dreams. In his 
active nightmare a lot of bloodthirsty savages 
were pouring red-hot coals down upon him, 
when Dave roused up with a start and a 
shout. 

He had no idea of time. In fact Dave had 
slumbered heavily for six hours. ,He strug- 
gled to a sitting position on the log. 

“Ugh!” he shivered, rubbing his eyes.' 
“What horrible dreams! Dreams? Oh!” 
he shouted, staring hard, “I am not yet 
awake. Nonsense! Absurd! Or am I 
delirious?” 


THE SAVAGES 


115 


Dave’s voice came shrill and broken from 
sheer excitement. 

Preposterous as it seemed, yet he was near 
the surface of the earth. Above him was a 
full heaven-full of shining stars. Around 
him showed pastures, woods, and hills. The 
log lay quiescent on the water, which, it 
seemed, had risen up almost to the level of the 
top of the pit. In fact, after six hours Dave 
Fearless, after a tremendous headlong 
descent into the bowels of the earth, was back 
at the very spot where he had last been at- 
tacked by the puma. 

Dave was trembling with doubt, suspense, 
even a kind of superstitious dread. He arose 
to his feet on the log. He cautiously stepped 
as far to one extreme end as he dared. 

As the log tilted slightly, Dave gave a 
spring. He cleared a six-foot space and 
landed flat on the ground. It seemed all so 
unreal, yet so gladsome, that he clutched and 
held to the grass and bushes as if afraid that 
some new extraordinary happening would 
sweep him again from terra firma. 

Dave sat up finally, viewing the pit with 
wondering eyes. He could not understand 
his miraculous deliverance. 

A thought of the puma made him get up. 


116 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


A second thought of his friends at the 
camp started him from the spot on a dead 
run. 

He had a general idea of direction. It 
proved a safe guide. As Dave came to the 
bottom of the hill and out upon the beach, the 
bright glare of a campfire met his sight. 

It burned upon the tongue of land where 
the marooners had been landed from the 
Swallow that morning. 

Dave had only to circle a little inlet to reach 
the campfire. He landed with a glad shout 
among his friends. 

His father, Captain Broadbeam, and Doc- 
tor Barrell surrounded him. Their warm 
welcome told Dave how much they thought of 
him. 

After a few minutes Captain Broadbeam 
got the big navy revolver and fired off three 
chambers. 

^'That’s a signal to Bob Vilett and Pat 
Stoodles, lad,’^ he explained. ‘‘They have 
been out searching for you since four 
o ’clock. ’ ’ 

Dave was nearly famished. He greatly en- 
joyed the meal of biscuits, fried fish, and wild 
berries which his father quickly prepared for 
him. 


THE SAVAGES 


117 


While he ate, the others listened with in- 
terest to his recital of his recent adven- 
tures. 

‘ ‘ It shows that Providence is on our side, ’ ’ 
said Amos Fearless, gratefully, as Dave fin- 
ished his story. 

^‘Went to sleep at the bottom of a fifty-foot 
pit? H ^m !” remarked the captain. ‘‘Woke 
up with the water at the surface I H ’m ! h ’m ! 
Lad, if anybody but you brought in that 
strange yarn, I would order them to tell it to 
the marines ! ’ ’ 

“It’s true, all the same. Captain Broad- 
beam, every word of it,” asserted ^ 'iv, 

‘ ‘ although it all puzzles me. ’ ’ 

“Certainly it is true,” put in Doctor Bar- 
rel!. ‘ ‘ N othing remarkable, either. ’ ’ 

“Probably not, to your rare old scientific 
noddle,” said the captain. “Can you ex- 
plain it, Doctor Barrel!?” 

‘ ‘ Easily — that pit is simply a tide-hole. ’ ’ 

“And what is a tide-hole?” demanded the 
curious captain. 

“A vent in the sea-bottom, reaching inland. 
Our young friend here fell down the land end 
of it when the tide was at ebb, and therefore 
the water had sunk to sea-level. Wliile he 
slept the flow tide came in, and naturally 


118 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


lifted the log with it to the high-water mark. 
In a few more hours it would have dropped 
again. 

^‘Then it’s a good thing that I woke up 
when I did, ’ ’ said Dave, thankfully. 

The captain’s signals soon brought Bob 
and Stoodles into camp. There was a second 
jubilee of welcome. 

Dave’s long absence had hindered the 
original plans of the party, who had contem- 
plated an exploring expedition late that after- 
noon. 

At earliest daylight next morning, however, 
all hands roused up. They packed their few 
belongings and set out due west, Pat Stoodles 
acting as guide. 

The ex-king of the natives had never been 
in this part of the island before. However, 
he knew how to pick the easiest course. 

They traveled until about ten o’clock. 
Then the sun got so hot that they were forced 
to seek shade and rest. 

At four o’clock they resumed the tramp. 
It was well toward twilight when they caught 
sight of water, the sea, half a mile ahead of 
them. 

There was a wooded rocky stretch to cover 
before they could reach the ocean. They had 


THE SAVAGES 


119 


made the hardest part of the climb when 
Stoodles halted abruptly. 

‘ ‘ Begorra P ^ he exclaimed. 

‘‘How now, mate?’’ inquired Captain 
Broadbeam. 

‘ ‘ Bad cess to the luck ! ’ ’ continued Pat. 

The captain passed close to the side of 
Stoodles and gazed beyond. 

Dave slipped past the others. As he 
glanced towards the beach he saw a dozen 
dusky savages. 

“The Island Windjammers, as Stoodles 
calls them ! ’ ’ spoke Dave. ‘ ‘ Captain, we have 
certainly run upon the enemy. ’ ’ 

“Yes, they are the same that we met be- 
fore,” asserted Bob Vilett, looking also. 

“Acushla! you’re right,” nodded Stoodles. 
“There’s me old friend Bighead, and the 
grand councilor Patty. And the rest of the 
nobs of the tribe — the prominent members 
of the cabinet, so to speak. I wish I was back 
aboard of the Sivalloiv, I do!” 

A shout sounded from below. The party 
there began waving their long spears and 
other weapons. 

‘ ‘ They see us I ” shouted Dave Fearless. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


BESIEGED 

The natives on the beach broke into a fresh 
chorus of startling yells as they ran pell-mell 
in the direction of the whites. 

‘ ‘ Hide, me ! ’ ’ said Stoodles. 

‘^What!’^ cried the captain, sharply — 
‘‘showing the white feather so soonP’ 

“I’m not, ’ ’ declared Stoodles. ‘ ‘ I show no 
feather but the green! It’s a Saint Pat- 
rick’s Day all around with me when it comes 
to fighting. But, as the boys here will tell 
you, I’m strongest with those murtherin’ 
gorillas when I’m king. Isn’t that so, Dave 
Fearless?” 

“Yes,” answered Dave. “Your royal 
standing was what helped get us out of their 
clutches when we were on the island here 
before.” 

“And, captain dear,” continued Pat Stoo- 
dles, dolefully, “do I look much like a king 
at the prisint time?” 

“Well, as a fact, you don’t, Pat,” answered 
120 


BESIEGED 


121 


Broadbeam, with a slight smile. ^‘The coat 
the doctor had to loan you is too short for 
you. You must have slept on that old plug 
hat you will insist on wearing. ’ ’ 

must keep up my royal dignity if you 
expect me to be of any use to you/’ went on 
Stoodles, with a whimsical wink. ^^Pro- 
fessor/’ this to Doctor Barrell, ‘‘can’t you 
fix me up ? ” 

“Why, Mr. Stoodles,” replied Doctor Bar- 
rell, after a moment of thought, “I believe I 
can. ’ ’ 

“There is a kind of a cave yonder,” said 
Dave to Captain Broadbeam. 

“The very thing, lad. We couldn’t expect 
much show in a running fight with those 
nimble natives. Entrenched in that cave, 
though, they can’t get at us so easily.” 

They all hurried to the spot that Dave had 
indicated. It was a great hole in the hill- 
side. As they got inside they found it to be a 
very fair natural entrenchment. Some big 
rocks stretched across the front, and it had a 
good depth. 

Captain Broadbeam got ready his big navy 
revolver and Bob Vilett loaded up the pocket 
pistol. Dave gathered up some egg-like rocks 
and set his hunting-knife handy. 


122 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


Doctor Barrell, taking with him his speci- 
men case, retired with Pat Stoodles to an 
obscure corner of the cave. 

‘‘What’s the programme going to be, lad?” 
asked Captain Broadbeam of Dave. 

“I really can’t tell you, captain,” said 
Dave. 

“You and Bob had some skirmishes with 
these natives when you were lost on the is- 
land, that time when we stopped here on our 
way to the sunken treasure ship.” 

“Yes, I know,” answered Dave, “but these 
natives seem a curious lot — you can never put 
your finger on them right. One time they are 
meek as lambs. At another time they get 
perfectly furious. ’ ’ 

“What about Stoodles?” 

“All the power he ever had over them was 
gained by playing on their superstitious 
fears.” 

‘ ‘ Then he must try it again. ’ ’ 

“I think he is planning some surprise for 
them right now,” said Dave. “liere they 
come, captain! Don’t let them get too 
near. ’ ’ 

“Don’t worry, I shan’t,” answered Broad- 
beam, doughtily. 

He planted himself between two big rocks. 


BESIEGED 


123 


facing the outside from the middle of the 
cave. 

The savages had come into clear view now. 
It was growing dusk, but Dave could count 
ten of them. 

Their leader wore a necklace of big red- 
dyed leopard ^s teeth. He was very tall, and 
had a great nose and ears. This was the 
fellow whom Stoodles had dubbed “ Big- 
head. 

Directly behind him came a squat, dwarfish 
savage, broad and waddling. He carried no 
weapon, but instead had a heavy wooden 
mace ornamented with shells. 

The other eight men were armed with 
spears, long knives, and bows and arrows. 
When about forty feet from the cave their 
leader halted. He stepped aside. Fatty,’’ 
as Stoodles had termed the grand councilor, 
came to the front. 

He looked at the cave and began whirling 
the mace round and round. While he did 
this he commenced chanting a ‘‘wurra- 
wurra” sing-song. 

The faster the mace whirled the more rapid 
the chanting grew, until the mace was a blur 
and the song had risen to a series of shrill 
yells. 


124 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Of a sudden the mace-bearer stopped and 
dropped flat to the ground. 

‘ ‘ Look out, captain ! ’ ’ shouted Dave, warn- 
ingly. 

Just in time Captain Broadbeam dodged, 
and Dave and Bob ducked their heads down. 

A shower of arrows pierced the gloom of 
the cave. The fusillade had come so unex- 
pectedly that the besieged party were not 
prepared for it. 

^ ‘ The treacherous scoundrels ! ’ ^ shouted the 
captain, grabbing up the navy revolver. 

As he cautiously glanced over the breast- 
work of protecting rocks, Broadbeam saw 
that every one of the besiegers had dis- 
appeared. 

As if by magic they had dodged out of view 
into ruts and behind trees and boulders. 

The grand councilor, however, had planted 
his mace in the ground. The gaudily deco- 
rated insignia of authority had been set up as 
a defiance and a token of their greatness. 

^^Look out, captain!” again warned Dave, 
who kept his eyes everywhere. 

This time a fusillade of sharp-pointed 
stones entered the cave opening. 

‘^Tare an’ ’ouns!” yelled Stoodles from 
the darkness, apparently struck by one of the 



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BESIEGED 


125 


missiles. ^‘Howld them off just a minute 
longer, captain dear, and I’ll give them a 
quieting dose.” 

Captain Broadbeam took aim with the navy 
revolver. He was*‘a fine shot. There was a 
sharp report. The bullet struck the mace at 
its broadest part, directly in the center. 

The shells ornamenting its face were dis- 
lodged. They scattered in all directions. 
The mace fell flat. 

A fearful howl went up, as if sacrilege had 
been done. The fat grand councilor came 
crawling out from behind a rock. 

He picked up the mace, and placing it in his 
lap sat rocking to and fro, making the air 
ring with the most dolorous lamentations. 

‘ ^ Stand aside — I ’m the boy that will bring 
them to toime!” sounded Stoodles’ voice. 

‘^Fer mercy’s sake!” shouted Bob Vilett, 
staring hard. 

They all turned. Coming from a dark 
corner of the cave was a fiery apparition. 


CHAPTER XIX 


stoodles 

Dave was a little startled at first. There 
came looming down upon them from the rear 
of the cave a face of fire. It shone and 
glowed in an uncanny way. As it drew 
nearer, however, they recognized Stoodles. 

^‘This will fix them,’^ said Pat. ^^What 
d’ye think, your honor?” 

Captain Broadbeam laughed and Dave 
joined in. Stoodles looked very comical. 
Doctor Barrel! had made up some kind of a 
phosphorus compound from his stock of 
chemicals. This he had applied to Stoodles’ 
face. The fiery features, the tall battered 
hat, and the ill-fitting garments under it gave 
the ex-king a very grotesque appearance. 

‘ AVurra-wurra !” shouted Stoodles, and 
jumped over the rocks blocking the cave 
entrance. 

The grand councilor looked up. Immedi- 
ately, too, the heads of his allies were stuck 
■out from behind rocks and trees. 


126 


“KING” STOODLES 


127 


Great goggling eyes surveyed the fiery ap- 
parition. Stoodles stood like a statue. 

Suddenly a great babel went up, and shouts 
in which ‘^Banyah!’’ prevailed pierced the 
air. 

‘‘They know me,^^ reported Stoodles back 
to his friends. “They recognize me.’’ 

He broke forth into a long impressive 
strain of gibberish. He was addressing his 
former subjects in their native tongue. 

The grand councilor, groaning, writhed 
himself up to Stoodles. He placed the mace 
at the Irishman’s feet. 

Bighead groveled, too. When he had crept 
up close to Stoodles in an awestruck way, he 
lowered his own face down deep in the mud 
and groaned and whined. 

Another native crept up, and lifting one of 
Stoodles’ feet set it on his neck. 

“Whisht!” spoke Stoodles to his staring 
friends — “how’s that for a lad from Tip- 
perary and the king of the cannibal islands ? ’ ’ 

Dave knew that the original reason that 
Stoodles had been made king was because he 
had a white face, probably the first the sav- 
ages had ever seen. 

This fact had caused the natives to regard 
him as a superior being. 


128 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


After awhile they had tired of him. Now, 
reappearing with a ‘‘gold-face,” a “fire- 
face,” the impression had doubly strength- 
ened Stoodles’ hold on the savages, and they 
were again willing to own his superiority. 

Stoodles appeared to enjoy the situation. 
His sense of self-importance was tickled to 
have all this attention and obeisance bestowed 
on him in the presence of his friends. 

He continued his gibberish to the two 
leaders of the native party. Finally he in- 
duced them to arise to their feet. There was 
a mutual talk, and as Stoodles waved his 
hand the whole band, singing and dancing as 
if with great satisfaction, darted north from 
the spot on a quick run. 

As they disappeared Stoodles sat down on 
a rock outside of the cave. There was a wide 
grin on his face. 

“Your majesty,” said Bob Vilett, with a 
smile, “what^s the programme?” 

“Quite right, me boy,” nodded Stoodles, 
with mock dignity. “You can address me as 
a conspicuous bit of a person. Ah, these 
witless gossoons! TheyVe got a new king, 
it seems, since I left them, but the minute I 
come along with my wonderful face of fire, 
it’s all up with his new kingship.” 


“KING” STOODLES 


129 


‘^They are disposed to be friendly, then?’^ 
inquired Amos Fearless. 

‘‘Friendly, is it? Haven’t they gone full 
speed for the royal palanquin? Won’t they 
come back with their horns and high priests, 
and all the flummei^^ and fol-de-rol of the 
coort?” 

“You mean, to take you back to their camp, 
Mr. Stoodles?” inquired Doctor Barrell. 

“Faith, I do.” 

“Will you go?” 

“To the throne of me departed grandeur? 
Begorra, I will ! And ye all with me. ’ ’ 

“Heave to a bit, there, Pat Stoodles!” 
put in Captain Broadbeam. ' 

“Belay it is, your honor!” 

“I don’t know about getting too familiar 
with those fellows.” 

“No, we had better — ah — consider,” ad- 
vised the doctor. 

“Captain dear,” said Stoodles, “you just 
trust your old friend, Pat Stoodles. Sure, 
it’s not me that will be leading ye into any 
trouble.” 

Captain Broadbeam looked dubious. 

“It’s all very well while those savages are 
in a friendly mood. It may be good policy 
to pay them a visit. But supposing they in- 


130 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


sist on keeping ns with them after they get 

nsr’ 

‘^Why, captain, when we get ready we’ll 
leave them, of coorse, just as we did before,” 
answered Stoodles. ‘ ‘Now, just listen to me : 
I know the crowd, seeing how I lived with 
them for six years. They’ll do anything for 
me and my friends as long as the dochter’s 
trick chemicals hold out. You see, the Swal- 
low wasn’t in the best shape in the world, 
and the Raven was on the sick list. Those 
murtherin’ pirates won’t work for a day or 
two. They will probably anchor near this 
very island somewhere, to finish their spree 
and divide the gold, if they find it. When I 
get back on my throne I’ll make me loyal 
subjects hunt everywhere for a trace of the 
villains. So, you see, your honor, we may 
yet trip them up and get back our ship and 
the treasure.” 

“That sounds sensible,” admitted Captain 
Broadbeam. “All right, Pat, carry out your 
programme. ’ ’ 

“Then, sure, all of you must put little 
daubs of the fire paint on your noses.” 

“What for, Pat?” 

“To show you’re royal descindants of the 
gold god, like myself. Of coorse, I am the 


“KING’^ STOODLES 


131 


king, the mayor, but I’ll insist on you being 
princes, or aldermen. ’ ’ 

It seemed a foolish thing to follow this 
direction, but they did it. The little coterie 
enjoyed a hearty laugh as they joked one and 
the other about their blazing noses. 

In about two hours they were startled by a 
deafening uproar. It was caused by the 
blowing of horns, the beating of tom-toms, 
and the crashing of cymbals. 

The moon had come up, and in its light they 
finally saw a strange procession wending its 
way to the spot. 

A litter made of tree-branches and covered 
with woven reeds was carried by four stal- 
wart natives. Fully a hundred savages fol- 
lowed. All were led by Bighead and the 
chief councilor. 

‘^They ai^ the royal cabinet,” whispered 
Stoodles to his friends. ‘‘Now, be on your 
dignity ! ’ ’ 

It was quite interesting to Dave and Bob 
to watch the performances of the next hour. 

The natives seemed to trace a miracle in 
the strange reappearance of their former 
king. Then, too, his “fire-face” enforced 
their impression of his being a superior 
being. 


132 CKinSE OF THE TEEASUKE SHIP 


The crowd regarded Stoodles with awe. 
They groveled before him and chanted weird 
songs of welcome. They lifted him to the 
litter, and showed him all kinds of attention. 

Captain Broadbeam, Amos Fearless, Doc- 
tor Barrel!, Dave, and Bob followed as an 
honored body-guard. 

Then the horns and other rude instruments 
resumed their wild babel, and the procession 
started for the native village. 


CHAPTER XX 


A MIDNIGHT ALARM 

‘‘Bob, are you asleep T’ 

“Not a wink, Dave.’^ 

“Creep a little closer, then/’ 

‘ ‘ Something up ! ” 

“I am afraid so. Get as near as you can 
without disturbing the others.” 

A night and a day had elasped since ‘ ‘ King 
Stoodles” and his friends had made a tri- 
umphant entry into the village of the savage 
natives. 

Stoodles had not miscalculated his influ- 
ence over his former subjects. He had been 
carried on the litter straight into the palace 
of the tribe, and with great ceremony placed 
on the royal throne. 

The palace was a wretched habitation of 
bark and reed matting. The throne was a 
rudely hewed-out mahogany log, ornamented 
with bright shells and colored leopard ’s teeth. 

All the same, as Pat jubilantly told his com- 
133 


134 CKUISE OF THE TKEASTJKE SHIP 

rades, the act made him ‘^king of the roost 
and boss of the island.” 

It was wonderful to observe the effect of a 
little phosphorus paint on the superstitious 
natives. As crowd after crowd visited the 
palace and recognized their former ruler, and 
gazed in awe at his marvelous ‘‘fire-face,” 
they seemed overcome with fear and venera- 
tion. 

The grand councilor and Bighead were 
masters of the ceremonies. Without cere- 
mony, however, they at once proceeded to 
depose the reigning monarch, who was named 
Aysha. When they had first brought 
Stoodles in they gave Aysha and his courtiers 
a long talk, and then turned them out of the 
palace. 

Dave, who made it a rule to closely observe 
everything, noticed that the deposed monarch 
gave Stoodles a fierce, revengeful look that 
boded no future good to the Irishman. 

The next day, too, Dave saw Aysha con- 
stantly flitting about the village in a hurried, 
excited way. He met little groups and con- 
versed with them cautiously. His followers 
also were mysteriously busy among the na- 
tives. Dave believed that trouble was 
brewing. 


A MIDNIGHT ALARM 135 

All that day, however, with the great mass 
of the people the popularity of King Stoodles 
seemed to increase. They brought him all 
kinds of gifts. Captain Broadbeam, Amos 
Fearless, and Doctor Barrell were housed 
with him as honored guests. Dave and Bob 
were quartered in another hut, with Bighead 
and the grand councilor. 

Their painted noses comprised a mark of 
high dignity with the natives, and all hands 
were royally feasted on every dainty the is- 
land afforded. 

Stoodles had carried out the project to 
have some of his subjects hunt for a trace 
of the two steamers. It seemed that the 
present village was a new temporary camp 
of the tribe, and there were two other settle- 
ments on the island. 

Early in the morning, swift selected run- 
ners were started out by Stoodles. They 
were to circle the entire island. On the 
course they were to visit the settlements, and 
learn if the Sivallcnv or the Raven had been 
sighted anywhere during the past two days. 

Everything is working like a charrum,” 
declared Stoodles, to his friends, and all ex- 
cepting Dave believed this. 

The young ocean diver had been uneasy all 


136 CEUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


the afternoon. From his former experience 
with the natives, Dave knew that they were 
a very unreliable set. 

Judging from many things he had ob- 
served, Dave felt sure th^t Aysha was up to 
some mischief. Just at nightfall Dave made 
some important discoveries along this line. 

He had gone to the palace to impart his 
suspicions to Stoodles. No one, however, was 
admitted there after dark. The guards used 
pantomimic gestures to convey to him that he 
must wait until the sun arose. 

Dave was pretty restless and thoughtful 
all the evening. Until about ten o’clock his 
chum. Bob Vilett, was engrossed in winning 
the good graces of Bighead. Bob had whit- 
tled out and marked a set of dominoes that 
day. He spent four hours teaching the game 
to the delighted Bighead. 

Then they all lay down to sleep. It was 
only when Dave heard their native hosts snor- 
ing profoundly, that he ventured to cautiously 
whisper to Bob. 

‘‘Now then, what is it, Dave?” asked the 
young engineer in a low tone, as he crept 
close to the side of his companion. 

“First and foremost, we must get out of 
here as quickly as we can.” 


A MIDNIGHT ALARM 


137 


‘ ‘ This will be hard. There are guards out- 
side. They watch us as if we were some 
precious treasure.” 

‘^We must slip by them in some way,” in- 
sisted Dave. ‘‘You know, I mentioned to 
you to-day that I didn’t exactly like the looks 
of things?” 

“I know you did, Dave — several times. 
Is it that fellow Aysha you feel worried 
about?” 

“That’s it.” 

“Oh, he may feel a little sore at being 
thrown overboard, but he is very small pota- 
toes at the present time.” 

‘ ‘ Maybe not, now. ’ ’ 

“Oh, yes, he is. Stoodles knows he is 
snooking around, grumbling and trying to get 
together a rival party. Stoodles says he 
can’t muster a corporal’s guard. No, we’re 
solid with the tribe — for a time anyway, 
Dave.” 

“Let me tell you something. Bob, and per- 
haps you will change your views. I have 
spent pretty nearly all the afternoon watch- 
ing Aysha and his friends.” 

‘ ‘ Did you get results ? ’ ’ 

“I think so.” 

“How?” 


138 CKTJISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


^^Well, they were gliding around mysteri- 
ously among certain huts. About dusk I 
noticed first one native and then another 
leave the camp. I stole after them. They 
all made for one point. 

^‘Wherer’ 

shut-in valley near that bridge across 
the morass to the north. I hid in among the 
brush. When about twenty men had arrived, 
Aysha got up on a rock and began telling 
them something. ’ ’ 

Which, of course, you did not under- 
stand 1 ’ 

‘‘No, but their antics and gestures told con- 
siderable. The fellows got greatly excited 
while Aysha was talking. When he got 
through, they went wild with delight. They 
grunted, and chuckled, and laughed. They 
danced up and down. They embraced one 
another. They drew ^out their weapons and 
brandished them. Finally, Aysha pointed to 
the moon. Then he moved his spear slowly 
along its nightly course. He halted the spear 
at about forty-five degrees, west declension. 
Can you guess what he was getting atT’ 

“Yes— naming an hour.” 

‘ ‘ Exactly ; — ^midnight, and I feel very sure, 
Bob, that at midnight those fellows have 


A MIDNIGHT ALAEM 


139 


something on the programme that means 
trouble for us. 

Bob was impressed by his chum’s story. 

‘‘Maybe you’re right, Dave,” he mur- 
mured. ‘ ‘ What do you mean to do ? ” 

“We must get out of here, and in some way 
into the palace where Stoodles is. We must 
tell him what I have just told you.” 

‘ ‘ All right, Dave, I reckon we can make it. ’ ^ 

“We must try, at all events.” 

Dave was satisfied that both Bighead and 
the grand councilor were fast asleep. He 
crept off his couch of skins, and got up close 
to the west side of the hut. Here he poked 
and pulled aside a section of the staked-dowu 
reed matting. 

A little fire burned in front of the hut. 
Around this were six or eight men, the 
guards. They were not asleep, but all were 
squatted on the ground, and they looked lazy 
and dull. 

“We must get out of here at the rear,”^ 
Dave told Bob. 

He began to creep cautiously in that direc- 
tion. It was dark inside the hut, and they 
had to pass directly by Bighead and climb 
bodily over the grand councilor. Fortu- 
nately they disturbed neither. 


140 CEUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Dave with his hunting-knife slitted up the 
wall of matting about two feet. He pushed 
free the section thus cut and took a look 
outside. 

The village was all quiet. There was a 
bright moon, but every few minutes the 
swiftest clouds Dave had ever seen drifted 
across it. 

Bob was by his side, and peered also. 

‘‘It’s about forty feet to the palace,” he 
said. 

“ Yes, ” Dave whispered back, ‘ ‘ we have got 
to cross that open space at the next big cloud. 
Keep out of range of the bonfire in front of 
Stoodles’ quarters, reach the rear of the 
palace, and we can cut our way in there just 
as we cut our way out of here.” 

As he spoke Dave noted the position of the 
moon. He calculated that it lacked about an 
hour ‘of midnight. 

They waited until a long black cloud shut 
out the bright light of the luminary. Then 
both crept through the rent in the matting. 
They wriggled along snake-like on the 
ground. There was quite some grass to hide 
them from sight at a distance. Both were 
panting but triumphant when, just as the 
scudding cloud passed the moon, they landed 


A MIDNIGHT ALAEM 141 

directly in shelter at the rear of the pal- 
ace. 

Here they crouched close until they had 
rested a bit and recovered their breath. 
Dave put his ear to the wall of the big hut 
and listened. 

^ ^ All quiet in there, ’ ’ he reported finally, in 
a whisper to Bob. ‘^They must be sleeping. 
How queer the air feels ! ’ ’ he added. 

Dave set at work and made an incision in 
the matting with his hunting-knife. He 
peered through the aperture. 

The front of the palace was covered with a 
loose curtain, formed of closely .woven, 
gaudily colored reeds. Beyond it, in front of 
the palace, burned a bright bonfire, and 
its flare radiated through the curtain 
and made the interior of the place quite 
light. 

Dave made out Stoodles, asleep on a pile of 
skins. Near him on similar couches rested 
the young diverts father. Captain Broad- 
beam, and Doctor Barrell. 

‘ ‘ How is it, Dave 1 ’ asked Bob, as his com- 
panion drew back from his survey. 

^‘All right. Bob. Nobody there but our 
friends. We must wake them cautiously, 
though, for the royal guards are in front. 


142 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

around the fire not twenty feet away, and the 
least sound would alarm them.’’ 

Dave slitted a section of the rear matting. 
They crept through into the hut. Dave, on 
hands and knees, approached the recumbent 
Stoodles. He saw that the Irishman was 
sound asleep, and gently pulled at an arm. 
Placing his lips close to his ear, he whispered 
repeatedly, but very softly : 

^‘Wake up, Stoodles!” 

‘‘Tare an’ ’ouns!” gasped Pat, rousing up. 
“S-sh!” warned Dave, placing his hand 
over Stoodles’ mouth. “Don’t cry out. 

Only listen. There is treachery, trouble ’ ’ 

“What’s that?” broke in Captain Broad- 
beam, suddenly sitting up. “Fearless,” he 
continued, nudging the form by his side, 
“here’s the lad, and something’s wrong!” 

Dave continued to urge them to silence. 
They woke up Doctor Barrell also. Soon 
five heads were close together. In cautious 
tones Dave told his story. 

“So, me royal prerogative is assailed, is 
it?” spoke Stoodles. “And that gossoon, 
Aysha, is on the rampage? I’ll call me 
minions and have the thraitor seized. ’ ’ 

“Wait a bit, Mr. Stoodles,” suggested Doc- 
tor Barrell, “and let us — ah — consider. 


A MIDNIGHT ALAKM 


143 


These subjects of yours appear to me to be 
very capricious individuals. Some of them 
stole my case of chemicals this afternoon, 
and I very much doubt their general fealty. ’ ’ 
And my knife is missing/^ reported Amos 
Fearless. 

^AVhat do you propose, PatF’ asked Cap- 
tain Broadbeam, getting out and looking over 
his big navy revolver. 

‘‘Whisht, now,’’ replied Stoodles, after a 
moment’s thinking. “Cover yourselves up 
in the bedding, and I’ll go outside and sum- 
mon me grand cabinet and hold a council of 
war.” 

“Hark!” said Bob Vilett, sharply. 

There was a commotion outside — ^hurried 
rustling, subdued but excited tones, the first 
tokens of a midnight alarm. 

The next moment, directly beyond the cur- 
tain covering the front of the hut, there arose 
the most frightful clamor that had ever as- 
sailed the ears of the startled Dave Fearless. 

A hideous chorus of drums, trumpets, and 
cymbals rang out on the midnight wind, which 
was increasing. 

Suddenly the sounds ceased. Then in 
fierce, blaring tones a loud human voice 
shouted out some words in the native tongue. 


144 CKUISE OF THE TREASHKE SHIP 

^‘What^s that! what’s that!” cried Pat 
Stoodles, springing to his feet. 

“Yes, what, Pat?” asked Captain Broad- 
beam. 

“Wirra!” said Stoodles, “that’s Aysha’s 
bould liftinant, and he’s making a proclama- 
tion. ’ ’ 

“About what?” 

“He is calling the tribe, and is telling them 
to hurry to see the rale tire-face king.” 

“Dave, you were right!” said Bob Vilett, 
quickly, coming close to his friend’s side. 

“Yes, we are certainly in for trouble of 
some kind, ’ ’ answered Dave. 

Great shouts now arose. The curtain in 
front swayed. The royal guards seemed 
pressed back against it by some mighty on- 
swaying crowd. 

The next minute it tore free from its fas- 
tenings and came down in a mass. 

A vivid panorama was disclosed to the view 
of the startled whites. 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE HURRICANE 

Fully two hundred savages were massed 
in front of the palace. 

In their lead were the men Dave had seen 
at the secret conclave in the valley early in 
the evening. 

All of these held aloft a litter. In its center 
was an object showing the outlines of a 
human form, but closely enveloped in a great 
mantle or blanket. 

Standing near the litter on a pile of fire- 
wood was a stalwart savage whom Stoodles 
had designated as Aysha’s lieutenant. 

From the distance in all directions, alarmed 
by the rude midnight clamor, other natives 
came pouring out from their huts to hasten to 
the central point of interest. 

The royal guards had been driven back into 
the palace. They stood tangled up in the 
torn-down curtain, holding their spears ex- 
tended sullenly, but looking undecided and 
anxious. 


145 


146 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

Suddenly there was a new uproar of shouts. 
Bighead and the grand councilor, hastily 
aroused from their slumbers, came hastening 
to the spot. 

The former pompously faced the man on 
the wood-pile. He shouted, gesticulated, 
stamped his foot. 

Aysha’s lieutenant pointed inside the 
palace. Then he pointed to the covered-up 
object on the litter. He spoke some quick 
words. The crowd hurst into eager, excited 
cries. Bighead looked astonished and em- 
barrassed. 

Dave heard Stoodles utter a deep groan, 
and looked at him curiously. 

‘ ^ What ’s the matter, Pat ? ’ ’ asked Captain 
Broadbeam. 

‘ ^ Acushla ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Out with it, mate ! Tell us the worst. ’ ’ 

‘^The lad was roight,” said Stoodles. 
‘^How many shots have you in that popgun 
of yours, captain?” 

‘ ^ Seven. ’ ’ 

‘‘You’ll need them. We’re outgineraled. 
Our cake is dough ! ’ ’ 

“Explain, Stoodles.” 

‘ ‘ My kingship is ended. Wirra ! but I wish 
I was back on the Swallow. Hear that, now ! ’ ’ 


THE HUKKICANE 


147 


cried Stoodles in new alarm, as Aysha’s lieu- 
tenant spoke some further words. 

“What does he say, Stoodles?” asked 
Dave. 

“He demands our heads.” 

“Oh!” 

“At once.” 

“And why?” questioned Doctor Barrell, 
anxiously and tenderly rubbing the bald spot 
on his wise old pate. 

“As imposhtors.” 

“As impostors, — how is that?” inquired 
Amos Fearless. 

“He says that I am a fraud — no gold-god, 
no fire-face at all, at all. tie says that Aysha 
is the one ould and original fire-face, and he 
is going to prove it.” 

^ ‘ How ? ’ ’ asked Bob Vilett. 

Stoodles did not have to reply, for Aysha’s 
lieutenant suddenly answered the question. 

He sprang upon the litter, the crowd watch- 
ing him spellbound. 

Seizing the end of the mantle or blanket, he 
dextrously whipped it free of the object it had 
covered. 

Aysha was revealed. 

“Well !” ejaculated Dave Fearless. 

Bob Vilett uttered a longwhistle of wonder. 


148 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

‘‘Shiver my timbers!^’ roared the excited 
Captain Broadbeam, “theyVe gone us one 
better.’’ 

Aysha was resplendent. Pat Stoodles had 
looked striking with his ‘ ‘ fire-face, ’ ’ but now 
he was dwarfed into utter insignificance. 

Aysha was one solid glare of fire from the 
tip of his head to the soles of his feet. 

“Unfortunate!” groaned Doctor Barrell. 
“They stole my chemical case and have got 
up a gold-god of their own.” 

The effect produced by Aysha on the multi- 
tude was immense. All hands tumbled to 
the ground. Just as the natives had at first 
done obeisance to Stoodles, so they now 
groveled before the new “fire-face.” 

Even Bighead and the grand councilor did 
homage to the improved “gold-god.” Poor 
Stoodles was left completely in the shade by 
the glittering Aysha. 

The men carrying the litter now began jab- 
bering away and shaking their fists menac- 
ingly towards the interior of the palace hut. 
Bighead talked with them. Then he started 
away. 

“It’s coming!” said Stoodles, in a gasp. 

“What, Pat?” asked Captain Broadbeam. 

“He has gone for the royal executioner. 


THE HUKKICANE 


149 


It’s all up with poor Pat Stoodles ! Captain 
dear, blaze away, for they’re coming.” 

Captain Broadbeam raised his revolver. 
He fired one shot to frighten the crowd that 
suddenly made a combined movement to rush 
into the hut. 

The six friends grouped close together. 
The shot seemed to have no terrifying power 
on the excited mob. 

‘ ‘ Make for the hole I cut in the rear wall, ’ ’ 
directed Dave, quickly. 

‘ ‘ Hold hard ! ’ ’ shouted the captain, ^ ‘mates, 
drop flat.” 

His stentorian tones rang out as they were 
wont to on board of Broadbeam ’s own craft. 
In an instant Dave understood their signifi- 
cance. 

There had come a sudden blinding flasL* a 
thunder roll that seemed to crack the earth. 

This was instantly followed by the scream- 
ing whistle of a furious wind blast. Chaos 
dropped down on the scene like magic. 

The entire palace structure was lifted up, 
torn from its frail fastenings. The onpour- 
ing mob were swept back as if breasted by 
some giant. They were tangled in the wreck- 
age of the hut and blown into the fire, the 
embers of which, caught up in the blast. 


150 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


dropped all over the village, starting the 
flames in a dozen different spots. 

Not one of the marooners was even grazed. 
They had fallen flat at Captain Broadbeam’s 
mandate. Fortunately, they were at the very 
edge of the rear wall of the hut, which had 
lifted like a balloon and passed over them, 
unscathed. 

‘‘Don’t wait!” panted Dave, getting to his 
feet. 

“No,” spoke Amos Fearless, “let us es- 
cape in the confusion. ’ ’ 

“Where to!” demanded the captain, 
grimly, with an expressive sweep of hi^ 
band. 

The scene they viewed was certainly a wild 
one. A fearful windstorm was raging. Huts 
before them and great trees were blown flat 
at a breath. Behind them the landscape was 
blurred with spreading fire spots here and 
there. 

Dave picked up a bare pole that he found in 
his path. He extended it towards his wind- 
buffeted companions. 

“Let us all cling to this,” he suggested, 
“and make what progress we can together.” 

“Yes, we must keep together at all 
hazards,” said his father. 


THE HUKRICANE 


151 


‘‘Which wajV^ asked Captain Broadbeam, 
as they stood clinging to the pole. 

“I know how to reach a lower spot than 
this, where the wind will not be so fierce.’’ 

“Make for it, then, lad.” 

‘ ‘ There ’s shelter and hiding there, too. If 
the storm does not overwhelm or hinder us, 
we can get safely away from the natives be- 
fore they get back their wits and try to find 
us.” 

Dave remembered the valley where the con- 
spirators had met. Just beyond this was a 
great swamp-hole. This the natives had 
bridged with a dozen great dead trees, tied 
and spliced together. 

Beyond that Dave had noticed that after- 
noon what seemed to . be a low, ► verdure- 
covered end of the island. It was infested 
with game birds, and, he reasoned, probably 
not visited by the natives excepting on regu- 
lar hunting expeditions. 

For over three hours the little party of 
refugees fought a hard battle. The tempest 
amounted to a veritable hurricane. Many a 
time they were blown clear otf their feet. 
Doctor Barrel! let go his grip on the pole and 
was lost for several minutes. 

The thunder and lightning were terrific. 


152 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


The rain deluged them. Dave managed to 
pilot them past the valley he had mentioned. 
The lightning glare showed them the old tree- 
bridge at last, about a quarter of a mile 
away. 

Stoodles and Doctor Barrell were pretty 
nearly exhausted. Dave urged that it would 
soon be daylight and that they had better get 
beyond the bridge and into hiding before the 
natives started pursuit or a search. 

Captain Broadbeam, however, saw that 
Stoodles particularly needed a rest. They 
found shelter in a little thicket, where, despite 
the discomfort and inconveniences of the 
situation, the three elder men were soon 
dozing. 

Dave was wide awake with the first indica- 
tion of dawn. The wind had died down to a 
stiff, sullen breeze, but the rain continued. 
He was cramped and chilled, and came out of 
the thicket to exercise and reconnoiter. 

Intervening forests shut out the native vil- 
lage, but Dave knew that it was not far dis- 
tant. Strolling about, he descended an in- 
cline where a dense jungle-like barrier ap- 
peared to protect some kind of a water cove. 

‘‘Why,’’ said Dave, as he neared the bot- 
tom, ‘ ‘ there is the ocean — and a ship ! ’ ’ 


THE HURRICANE 


153 


His heart beat more quickly, as he saw 
through a network of vines and bushes the 
great hull of some kind of a vessel. 

Dave fairly tumbled down the remaining 
twenty feet of the incline in his eagerness to 
more fully explore his discovery. 

Then, as he peered nearer, he gave a start. 

It was a ship — ^but not the Swallow. 


CHAPTER XXII 


AT THE TKEE-BRIDGE 

The edge of the water was one tangled 
jnngle of verdure. Dave had difficulty in 
finding a spot where he could peer through 
clearly. 

At length he was able to see that what he 
saw was a small ocean cove, probably never 
before viewed by human eyes. 

The ship he looked upon Dave recognized 
at once as a derelict, some dismantled craft 
abandoned in mid-ocean, and the plaything 
of wind and tide until it had drifted to this 
serene harbor. 

Its hull seemed intact. The forward cabin, 
however, was half burned away, and one mast 
was gone. Dave strained his eyes to read a 
blurred, faded name at the bow. 

‘ ^ The Priscilla^ ’ ’ he said. ^ ‘ Captain Broad- 
beam must be told of this. Why, here is a 
good refuge. There may be all kinds of use- 
ful things aboard that ship. Maybe we can 
154 


AT THE TREE-BRIDGE 


155 


patch her up and navigate her, and get away 
from here. Hark!^’ 

Dave bent his ear landwards in a startled 
way. In an instant he lost all immediate in- 
terest in his discovery of the ship. 

The echo of shrill savage cries not far dis- 
tant had attracted his attention. 

‘ ‘ That ^s the natives, ’ ’ thought Dave. ‘ ^ Are 
they on the search so soonT’ 

Dave lost no time in scaling the incline. 
He found it no easy task. When he reached 
the top he looked back over the course he had 
come. 

The ship he had discovered below was now 
as completely hidden from view as if buried 
under the earth. 

Looking in the direction of the native vil- 
lage, Dave found new cause for alarm. 

Less than half a mile away he made out a 
party of nearly fifty warriors, armed with 
spears and other weapons, and faced in the 
direction of the tree-bridge. 

Dave burst in upon the thicket shelter of 
his friends alive with excitement. He roused 
up all hands with his report that the savages 
were on their track. 

There was an instant rush towards the tree- 
bridge. Dave had no thought or time just 


156 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

now to tell of liis discovery of the abandoned 
ship. 

When they were about an eighth of a mile 
from the tree-bridge, a chorus of yells caused 
them to cast looks behind them and then 
hurry their pace. 

Those fellows have seen us,” said Cap- 
tain Broadbeam. 

^^Yes, and they will soon be up with us,” 
asserted Bob Vilett. 

^‘We are pretty near the bridge now,” said 
Dave. ‘ ‘ Shall we make a stand at the other 
end, captain, or try and find a hiding- 
place?” 

hardly know, lad,” answered Captain 
Broadbeam. 

‘ ^ It is a queer layout, beyond, yonder. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ The bridge spans a swamp-hole, there ’s a 
blutf at the end, then it drops to even flats. 
If we could have got over there in hiding 
before those fellows had discovered us, it 
would have been a fairer chance. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Here we are, ’ ' announced Bob at last. 

They had reached the south end of the tree- 
bridge. It was over a hundred feet long, com- 
posed of several big trees tied and spliced to- 
gether, and quite an engineering feat for the 
natives. 


AT THE TKEE-BKIDGE 


157 


Just as he stepped on it, Stoodles uttered a 
groan. 

Leave me behind, friends,” he said, 
that weak, and my head is so dizzy, I 
couldn ’t walk a foot without tumbling over. ’ ’ 

‘‘Then we will have to help you,” said 
Dave. 

He and Bob assisted Stoodles over the 
bridge, but they were some time in reaching 
its farther end. 

The others had preceded them. Captain 
Broadbeam stood surveying the situation in a 
gloomy kind of way. 

“I donT see that we are better otf here,” 
he observed. ^ 

“There are lots of hiding-places down on 
the level, captain,” suggested Dave. 

“That is true, lad, but I fear those fellows 
will be too many for us. Well, no more fool- 
ing business. Not more than two can come 
across that bridge at a time. Mass up here, 
mates. Docks, cudgels, or knives, and I’ll 
lead otf with this old navy revolver.” 

“If we could only destroy the bridge,” 
murmured Doctor Barrell. “Then they 
would have no way of reaching us.” 

“Line up,” ordered the captain, grimly. 

They had come to a bold stand. So also 


158 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


had the natives. These latter had halted at 
the other end of the bridge, engaging in a 
general confab. 

There were nearly fifty of the dusky crew. 

Their leader was Aysha’s lieutenant. 

The waved their weapons menacingly, and 
gave voice to hideous yells. 

shall have to drop the first one who puts 
his foot on the bridge,” observed Captain 
Broadbeam, glancing along the barrel of his 
weapon. 

^^They are preparing to come, just the 
same,” said Bob Vilett. 

‘‘Say!” abruptly exclaimed Stoodles. 

“What is it, Pat?” asked the captain. 

Stoodles had been resting on a rock in a 
weak and dejected way. Now he was looking 
towards the top of the little bush-fringed 
bluff that backed them. 

“Say,” he repeated, “I just saw a man up 
there. ’ ’ 

“Where? nonsense!” remarked Captain 
Broadbeam. 

“A white man, too. Didn’t I tell you? 
There he is again ! ” 

The entire party fixed their eyes on the 
bluff looming about thirty feet above 
them. 


AT THE TREE-BRIDGE 


isy 

To its edge had come a man. He stood 
looking quietly down at them. 

‘^Hello!^’ shouted the astonished Captain 
Broadbeam. 

Hello yourself!’’ hailed the stranger, 
calmly. 

‘^Who are you — ^what brings you here?” 
continued the captain. 

‘‘No time for introductions and explana- 
tions just now,” replied the other. “Those 
people are coming. Don’t waste your cart- 
ridges — I will settle the matter. Keep back a 
little, please. ’ ’ 

“Hey?” queried Captain Broadbeam. 

The stranger had something in his hand. 
It resembled a stick of stove polish. 

He lifted this, took aim, let it drive, and it 
struck the direct center of the bridge. 

“Shiver my timbers!” shouted the as- 
tounded Captain Broadbeam — “now look at 
that!” 


CHAPTER XXIII 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLAES REWAED 

The instant that the oblong object thrown 
by the stranger struck the tree-bridge there 
was a terrific report. 

The middle timbers were torn from place, 
uplifted, and shivered to splinters. They 
sank down into the swamp-hole a heap of 
kindling wood and sawdust. 

Then there was a tearing, grinding sound, 
and sheer fifty feet down shot the remaining 
ends of the bridge. 

The chasm now yawned, an impassable gap 
between natives and marooners. 

When the explosion came, two of the na- 
tives stood on the extreme edge of the bridge. 
They were carried down with it. 

Both sprang free in the descent, however. 
They snatched at roots and vines at the side 
of the chasm and managed to scramble aloft 
again. 

With frightened yells they put after the 
others of the tribe. These, terrified at the 
ICO 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLAKS EEV/ARD 161 


mighty explosion, had already fled in haste 
from the spot. Several of them even left 
their weapons behind them. 

A momentary silence ensued among our 
friends after the shock. Then Dave ex- 
claimed : 

^ ^ That was dynamite ! ’ ’ 

Right you are, lad,’^ said Captain Broad- 
beam — ‘4t couldnT be anything else. Come 
down here, mate,’Mie hailed to the man on the 
bluff, ‘^and show your colors.’^ 

The person addressed disappeared from 
the face of the bluff. In about two minutes 
he advanced towards the marooned ones 
around its base. 

Dave looked at him very curiously. He 
appeared to be a person quite out of the 
common. 

His face and dress bore marks of sun, 
storm, and adventure. Dave could see, 
though, that under normal conditions he must 
be a neat, shrewd fellow, business all over. 

He seemed to be about thirty years old, and 
there was a slight cockney accent to his 
speech. 

Following behind him was a companion. 
The marooners had not seen this person be- 
fore. 


162 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


This was a still younger man. He had a 
wistful boyish face, and looked as if recent 
hardships had pretty well pulled him down. 

There was something about him that imme- 
diately enlisted Have’s sympathies. 

The man in advance wore eyeglasses. He 
approached leisurely, and nodded in a crisp, 
formal manner. Captain Broadbeam ex- 
tended his hand in a hearty way. 

^‘You’ve done us a service, mate,” he said. 

^ ‘ Glad, ’ ’ responded the stranger, tersely. 

^ ‘ How did you come to be up there ? In the 
nick of time, too ? ’ ’ 

‘‘Long story, that — ^never mind now. Was 
there. Didn’t want to have those black fel- 
lows mix up with us either, so I fired one of 
these. ’ ’ 

The speaker set down a bundle he carried 
on a rock. 

It comprised a stout sheet of oilskin. From 
this he had apparently taken the explosive he 
had just fired. 

The package was loose, and a piece of string 
dangled from it. 

Now he proceeded to roll up in cotton bat- 
ting and heavy manilla paper six remaining 
sticks. These were about eight inches long 
and two inches in circumference. They had 



(lARE-ANCEU; 












■ i f 1 

i**i fw*■'■A^^' KS4. • .'■■^•^^'SlStfi, •; - 1 

i let % "■ .. ■ ; ’"v 

i/ 





HE LIFTED THIS, TOOK AIM, AND LET DRIVE. — P. I59. 
Cruise of the Treasure Ship, 



/ 


i 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLABS REWAED 163 


a paper covering. On this was printed: 
‘‘XXX Dynamite, Duine Brand.’’ 

The stronger rewrapped this parcel very 
methodically and carefully. Dave observed 
that while he did so his companion followed 
his every movement with strangely agitated 
eyes. 

Captain Broadbeam also watched the 
stranger with interest. When the latter had 
got his bundle trim and secure to his taste, 
the captain pointed a rather timid finger to- 
wards it. 

‘ ‘ Dynamite ? ” he said, in a kind of an awed, 
hushed way. 

“Yes,” answered the stranger. “You 
needn’t be afraid,” he observed to Stoodles, 
who was looking on with a frightened face. 
“It’s as harmless — in my charge — as chew- 
ing-gum. ’ ’ 

“You carry a strange cargo, mate,” said 
Captain Broadbeam. 

“Think so?” replied the stranger, with a 
quiet smile. “I’ve navigated over five thou- 
sand miles with that little bundle, and haven’t 
reached port yet. ’ ’ 

“What is your port, may I ask?” spoke 
Broadbeam. 

“No-Man’s Port — maybe the middle, 


164 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUEE SHIP 

maybe the bottom of the Pacific. A stick of 
the stuff came in handy just now. It won’t 
be missed in the round-up. ’ ’ 

All this time Dave noticed that the man’s 
campanion hung on every word he spoke with 
a most intense and painful interest. His lips 
were parted, his eyes burning, and he ap- 
peared to think of nothing and care for noth- 
ing excepting the stranger and his package of 
explosives. 

‘‘How long have you been on the island?” 
inquired the captain. 

“Just a week.” 

“At this spot all of the time?” 

“Not at all. We landed near the other end 
of the island... Since then we have wandered 
about. We nearly ran into the native village 
yesterday. Of course, as soon as we dis- 
covered the nearness of savages, we footed it, 
quick. Our wanderings led us to this spot.” 

“Were you shipwrecked here?” 

“Yes and no,” answered the stranger. 
“Perhaps, as we have come together and may 
stick together, I had better give you some 
more particulars ? ’ ’ 

“All right, mate.” 

“My name is Daniel Trench,” continued 
the stranger. “I hail from London. I was 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD 165 

sent on a special mission to the Pacific. It is 
a very peculiar errand. I was looking for 
something not easy to find. ’ ’ 

‘‘Ah! I suspected before. I know now!’^ 
cried his companion, sharply. “You are 
looking for a lost ship.’’ 

“A derelict ship, yes,” nodded Trench, 
quetly. 

‘ ‘ Then so am I ! ” cried the other, quivering 
all over with excitement. ‘ ‘ I am Henry Dale, 
from New York. I, too, was sent out on a 
strange errand. I suspected you. I watched 
you. We have been together for three weeks, 
but until you opened that dynamite I wasn’t 
sure of you. Now I know. You and I are 
pitted against each other in a lace. We are 
enemies.” 

“Say rivals,” suggested Trench, calmly. 
“Come, friend Dale, don’t let us get at logger- 
heads and have hitter feelings, a thousand 
miles from civilization. There is little 
chance, the way it looks now, of either of us 
ever getting away from here alive, much less 
ever finding what we are looking for. The 
cat is out of the bag. Shall I let our new 
friends here know the whole matter, so 
they may understand just how everything 
stands!” 


166 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


^ ‘ I suppose so, ’ ’ murmured Dale, in a cheer- 
less way. 

He sat down as he spoke on a rock and 
covered his face with his hands. Dave felt 
sorry for him — ^he seemed all tired out and 
discouraged. 

‘ ‘ To begin at the beginning, ’ ’ said Trench, 
‘‘the case we two are interested in is one of 
the most mysterious in marine annals. It 
covers the wanderings of an ocean steamship 
in the dyes and chemicals trade with China. 
She was a big iron tramp of over two thou- 
sand tons, built twenty years ago. Eighteen 
weeks since she was abandoned by her captain 
and her crew off the Chilian banks. Her ma- 
chinery had given out, and upper works on 
fire. She was not very valuable, but said in 
excellent condition, though a derelict.’’ 

“What became of her I” asked the inter- 
ested Bob. 

“That is the question. As she did not ar- 
rive on time at New York, she came on the 
‘overdue market,’ and fifty per cent, was 
being paid to reinsure her, when Lloyds’ re- 
ceived the news that she had been abandoned. 
That was January 29th, and her crew were 
rescued by the steamer Dresden, for San 
Francisco. The word ‘Foundered’ was 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD 167 

printed against her in Lloyds' Register, but 
this marine obit was afterward changed to 
‘Abandoned at sea.' " 

They were all so interested in the graphic 
story of Trench, that for the time being all 
hands forgot their surroundings. 

“Underwriters were just about paying otf 
their risks, when the astounding news was re- 
ceived that she had been passed on February 
11. The tramp Midlands on that day at- 
tempted to take her in tow. The rate of in- 
surance thereupon sank to forty per cent. 
The derelict was only four hundred and fifty 
miles from the Bolivian coast. On February 
20 the Midlands passed Valparaiso without 
the derelict, her attempt at towing having 
been unsuccessful, and then the risk jumped 
to ninety per cent." 

“You tell it well, mate," here murmured 
Captain Broadbeam. 

“During the next thirty days the derelict, 
with nothing but rats aboard, was passed by 
ten different ships. Underwriters did not 
quite give up hope. The rate of insurance 
dropped to eighty per cent. March 13 the 
British liner 8t, Andrew, as told in a cable, 
nearly ran into the derelict in the ocean track. 
Four days later the Elmo came in collision 


168 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


during a night storm, and had to put to port 
in damaged condition. The British admiralty 
considered the liability of some other Pacific 
liner smashing into the derelict. They de- 
putized me to scour the ocean and find her.” 

‘‘And the American Lloyds’, at New 
York,” spoke Henry Dale, arising to his 
feet, “employed me to find her also.” 

“At Valparaiso,” continued Trench, “I 
met this young man. We seemed both look- 
ing for some craft with a roving commission. 
Finally I found a big launch bent on visiting 
Pacific Ocean islands off the South American 
coast, trading trinkets for pearls. I engaged 
passage. Next day our young friend here 
also came aboard. I suspected his mission 
from the first, and I guess he suspected mine. 
Anyhow, both of us were sorry we ever went 
aboard ’that launch. The captain and crew 
were drunken, worthless fellows. A week 
ago we struck this island. The crew had a 
wild debauch. Some careless rascal tipped 
over a lamp, and the launch caught fire and 
went up in flames.” 

“V/hew!” whispered Bob to Dave, “this 
is getting exciting. ’ ’ 

“There we were,” pursued Trench, 
“wrecked on an inhospitable island. About 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD IGi) 

all that the crew saved was some casks of 
liquor. They kept up their frightful orgie 
on land. Mr. Dale and myself were so dis- 
gusted that we made a little camp at a dis- 
tance from them, and shifted for ourselves. 
Three mornings ago we woke up to find them 
gone. Looking out to sea, we saw a steamer 
making away from land. Those wretches had 
been saved, and never told of our being on 
the island.’’ 

‘‘Hold on,” broke in Captain Broadbeam, 
‘ ‘ describe that steamer as closely as you can, 
will you?” 

Trench did so. 

“It was the Raven, beyond doubt,” de- 
clared Broadbeam. “That is where that 
scoundrel, Nesik, got his extra crew. Did the 
launch crew wear red fezes and blouses?” 

“Yes,” answered Trench. 

“Then they left you ashore purposely. 
You were not the kind of material they 
wanted. The new mob they joined were a set 
of rascally, thieving pirates!” continued the 
captain, hotly — “as we have clear reason for 
knowing. That’s your story, eh, mate? 
Well, it’s a mighty interesting one. But you 
and young Dale here seem sort of at odds for 
chums. How is that?” 


170 CEUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 

‘‘Why,’’ answered Trench, “I imagine it is 
because that, while we are both looking for 
the derelict, we are doing so with widely dif- 
ferent motives.” 

“What is your motive, may I ask?” said 
the captain. 

“Well,” replied Trench, “I am employed 
by the British admiralty to clear the sea of a 
menace to our shipping. I am ordered to find 
that derelict, and, when I do, blow her up.” 

As he spoke Trench placed his hand on the 
package of explosives. 

“I see,” nodded Captain Broadbeam. 
“That is how you come to have that dyna- 
mite?” 

‘ ‘ Exactly. ’ ’ 

Henry Dale stood pale and agitated as this 
explanation was made. 

“And I,” he spoke out sharply — “I am em- 
ployed by the American Lloyds’, of New 
York, to find that derelict, claim her in their 
name, and in some way get her towed into 
some port. If you,” he addressed Trench, 
‘ ‘ destroy the ship, what recompense have our 
underwriters for their insurance?” 

“And what is that to some liner bumping 
into her, some dark night, and going down 
with all souls on board ? ’ ’ demanded Trench. 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLAES EEWAKD 171 

‘‘My father is an old employee of the 
American Lloyds V’ said Dale. “He has 
been ill for nearly a year. He is poor, and I 
have six young brothers and sisters. The 
company offered me a chance that means com- 
fort and happiness for onr family. That old 
hull of the derelict is worth forty thousand 
dollars to the Lloyds’. If I succeed in get- 
ting her into port they offer me a reward of 
ten thousand dollars.” 

“Well,” said Trench, with a careless shrug 
of his shoulders, “we each have our mission. 
Of course, if I find the derelict first, it’s this.” 

He touched the package of dynamite sig- 
nificantly. 

“And if I find the derelict first,” spoke 
young Dale, in a spirited tone, “it’s this !” 

He drew a round tin cylinder from a breast 
pocket. 

“And what may that be, ladT’ inquired 
Captain Broadbeam, kindly interested. 

Henry Dale twisted the tin cylinder apart. 
His pale face was flushed with excitement. 
He drew out a roll of paper. 

“I will nail that to the bow,” he spoke, 
“telling all the world that the derelict is the 
legal property, and seized as such, of the 
American Lloyds ’, of New York. Then I will 


172 CEUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 

nail this to the mast, and defy the whole world 
to molest that ship. ’ ^ 

He unrolled a beautiful silk flag — the Stars 
and Stripes. 

^‘Hurrah shouted Bob Vilett, patrioti- 
cally. 

Dave was moved and thrilled. 

Captain Broadbeam slapped the young fel- 
low heartily on the back. 

‘ ‘ Good for you ! ’ ’ he commended. 

Trench laughed a little and shrugged his 
shoulders indifferently. 

^ ‘ I see your sympathies are with our young 
friend,” he said. ^‘Well, I am glad of it. 
Mr. Dale,” he continued in a practical but 
pleasant tone, ‘‘business is business and duty 
is duty. I shall do mine when the occasion 
comes, but — I hope you win out, I hope you 
get there first.” 

And the speaker extended his hand in a 
hearty fashion that won the respect of every 
member of the little party. 

“Well, mates,” broke in Captain Broad- 
beam, “weVe been parleying here as prettily 
as if we weren’t forlorn outcasts and at the 
end of the world. Time to think of present 
pressing affairs, now.” 

All hands came back to the grim realities of 


TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD 173 


the moment with a glance across the chasm 
where the tree-bridge had stood. 

The savages were no longer in sight. The 
prompt act of Trench had set an impassable 
gulf between themselves and the natives. 

At the same time, however, it had isolated 
the refugees. They rather dismally regarded 
the dark, low stretch of verdure that extended 
for about a mile out into the sea. 

Captain Broadbeam surv^eyed the prospect 
at all points of the compass. He paced to 
and fro, trying to decide what their next move 
would be. 

‘‘By the way,’^ he spoke abruptly, to 
Trench — ‘ ‘ that derelict. ’ ’ 

“Yes, captain r’ 

“You didn’t tell her name. Who was 
she?” 

‘ ‘ The Priscilla. ’ ’ 


CHAPTER XXIV 


THE EAETHQUAKE 

‘^Whisper, Bob/^ 

^‘All right, Dave/^ 

Don’t let. Stoodles hear us. You know 
that story Trench told?” 

‘‘Yes.” 

“About the derelict. Well, I know where 
the Priscilla is.” 

“You’re romancing, Dave Fearless!” 

“Am I? Just listen — and then keep it to 
yourself, for the present. ’ ’ 

When Daniel Trench had mentioned the 
name of the derelict, Dave Fearless almost 
shouted out. 

There was no doubt at all but that the aban- 
doned steamer for which two nations had 
been seeking all over the Pacific Ocean, was 
in a serene harborage not a mile distant from 
the bluff at the tree-bridge chasm. 

Dave with difficulty repressed his excite- 
ment. It was only now, when alone with his 

174 


THE EARTHQUAKE 


1V5 


chum Bob Vilett, that he felt he must relieve 
his mind of its overpowering secret. 

An hour previous Captain Broadbeam had 
decided on the exploration of the flats below 
the bluff. 

Dave and Bob volunteered to make a pre- 
liminary skirmish. Stoodles insisted on ac- 
companying them. 

“You see, captain dear,’’ he had explained 
to Broadbeam, “it’s more overfed with royal 
luxuries I am, than sick. It’s a quare out- 
look, those flats yonder, and I’m thinking my 
faymiliarity with the island may help a bit, 
so I’ll go along, too.” 

The little exploring party had left the bluff 
quite a distance behind. Stoodles was pilot- 
ing the way, somewhat in advance out of ear- 
shot, when Dave imparted his secret to Bob. 

< < Why, Dave, ’ ’ exclaimed the latter, ^ ‘ that ’s 
great! You found the Priscilla?'’ 

“Yes.” 

“And could locate the ship again?” 

^ ^Without any doubt. I have been thinking 
since we left the bluff — this is no place for us. 
It’s a regular bog-hole. When we go back, 
I’m going to tell Captain Bfoadbeam about 
the Priscilla." 

“That’s it, Dave.”. 


176 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

‘ ‘ On the quiet. Then, if he can devise any 
way of getting past the swamp-hole, we will 
go to the derelict. ’ ’ 

^^Why, that would be famous!’’ said Bob, 
enthusiastically. ‘ ^ The natives don ’t seem to 
know the ship is there. ’ ’ 

‘‘I think not. We could get aboard, and it 
would be a safe, pleasant haven. Who knows 
— there may be all kinds of things aboard of 
which we could make use. What is more, we 
might be able to rig up the old hulk in some 
way and get away from the island.” 

^ ‘ A capital idea, ’ ’ voted Bob. ‘ ^ Dave, I am 
surprised you didn’t think of telling Captain 
Broadbeam about this before.” 

did. But I was sort of stunned when 
Trench mentioned the name of the derelict. 
. Then, too, my sympathies were all with Henry 
Dale.” 

^‘You bet — ^lie’s a fine, earnest young fel- 
low, and I hope he wins out.” 

am going to try and help him,” said 
Dave. ‘‘That is why I didn’t blurt out what 
I knew before them all. We will share our 
secret with Captain Broadbeam, but we will 
make a bargain. He must agree to let young 
Dale go aboard of the Priscilla first of any- 
body.” 


THE EARTHQUAKE 


111 


^‘Hiirrali!” cried Bob. ‘‘That^s it. He 
will nail up his document, plant the Stars and 
Stripes, and Trench can drop his sticks of 
dynamite where they belong — at the bottom 
of the sea.” 

As they conversed the boys made slow 
progress at no easy rate. 

The flat end of the island, if such it was, 
puzzled and inconvenienced them greatly. 

It seemed as if storms of the past had 
blown and lodged here all the loose debris of 
the island. The surface was a tangled chaos 
of brushwood and vines. 

This had formed into a closely knit mass, 
with an occasional tree here and there bent 
into grotesque shades. 

Very often the spongy, elastic surface 
would give under their tread and they would 
go ankle deep into mud or water. 

It was the most dismal prospect they had" 
yet faced on the island. Great flocks of wild 
game abounded, and a little further on the 
surface raised up somewhat, but there was 
nothing inviting about any part of the lone- 
some stretch. 

The rain had ceased, and the fierce wind 
too, yet the sky was leaden. Over in the west 
there was a belt of jet-black clouds. The air 


178 CKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 

was close, and the trampers were wringing- 
wet with perspiration. 

‘‘We may as well go back,’^ suggested 
Bob. 

“Yes,’^ answered Dave, halting; and, hail- 
ing their guide: “hold on, Stoodles.’’ 

“Bad cess to the bog! Shure, it’s hould- 
ing on I am, I am. ’ ’ 

Pat had suddenly dropped out of sight. 
The boys ran up to the spot where they had 
last seen him. 

“I declare!” said Bob, surveying Stoodles 
clinging to some bushes immersed in water to 
his neck. 

“There’s no bottom to the place at all, at 
all,” grumbled the dripping Stoodles as they’ 
helped him up. “Come back and tell the 
captain we’re disgusted.” 

“All right, Stoodles,” said Dave, “I was 
just about to propose that myself.” 

“And a sensible lad you are, then.” 

They were about to turn their faces back 
towards the blutf when Bob caught Dave’s 
arm suddenly. 

“Say,” he ejaculated, “look there!” 

In some dismay Dave, and then Stoodles, 
followed the indication of Bob’s extended 
forefinger. 


THE EARTHQUAKE 179 

Bob was pointing to tlie east, towards the 
open sea. 

‘^Canoes!’’ breathed Stoodles, aghast. 

^ ^ The natives ! ’ ’ said Dave, quickly. 

‘ ‘ And making in shore between us and the 
bluff,’’ added Bob. ‘‘They will cut off our 
retreat. Dave, what are we going to do ? ” 

They stood still, watching some twenty 
canoes which had just rounded into sight 
from the main island. 

The flats were not much more than a quar- 
ter of a mile wide at their broadest place. 
The three friends saw that their approach- 
ing enemies would have no difficulty in reach- 
ing them. 

The echo of a distant shot reached Dave’s 
ears. He glanced towards the bluff. It was 
fully half a mile distant, yet he could make 
out someone waving a coat. 

“That is a signal from the others,” he said. 

“Yes,” nodded Bob, “and three of them 
are leaving the bluff and coming towards us. 
Maybe Trench and Dale have firearms.^ If 
so, and they get here quick enough ” 

“They won’t, but something else will,” in- 
terrupted Stoodles, suddenly. ‘ ‘ See the nay- 
tives. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ MTiy, ’ ’ exclaimed Bob, ‘ ‘ they have turned 


180 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 

their canoes, and they are rowing back like 
mad, the way they came. What else is com- 
ing, Mr. Stoodles ? ’ ^ 

‘ ‘ The hurrycane ! ’ ^ 

As Stoodles spoke he dropped to the ground 
helplessly. His eyes were fastened on the 
western horizon. 

‘^Gracious!’’ said Dave. ‘^Look at that 
mass of clouds. Bob — ^black as ink. ’ ’ 

‘‘And moving this way,” added Bob, hur- 
riedly. ‘ ‘ And see, Dave — across the island. ’ ^ 

The wind had already struck the main is- 
land. They could see one stretch of upland 
where the trees were bending and snapping 
off clear down the incline. 

‘ ‘ She ’s here, ’ ’ spoke Stoodles. ‘ ‘ Get down, 
now. Grab a bush and hould on for your 
lives ! ’ ’ 

An awful blackness settled fast down over 
them like a pall. 

All the rest of the island, even the bluff, 
was blotted out from their view. 

A screaming tempest tore through the air 
accompanied by frightful bolts of electric fire 
and sharp thunder crashes. 

All three of the crouching refugees were 
torn from the frail bushes they grasped, and 
flung like rubber balls twenty feet along. 


THE EARTHQUAKE 181 

They lodged, all mixed up together, against a 
dead tree. 

‘‘It’s coming worse!” shouted Stoodles. 

They clung to the fallen tree, but were 
swayed about fearfully. Then the whole 
ground seemed to lift and rock. There was a 
deep, rumbling sound, entirely unlike the 
thunder. 

The boys felt that the peculiar movements 
and sounds indicated some new natural 
phenomena. 

Their senses swam, and they experienced a 
strange, nauseating sensation. 

“What was that!” panted Bob, blinded by 
the rain and bruised by great vines and 
thorny bushes blown violently over them. 

“It’s the lasht of the island,” groaned 
Stoodles, in a hollow tone. “It’s an earth- 
quake ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTEE XXV 


THE FLOATING ISLAND 

Whatevek had happened, the three refu- 
gees were certainly going through a remark- 
abl experience. 

The blackness of night surrounded them. 
The air was thick with water, fog, and flying 
debris. The shrieking wind and the roaring 
of the sea waves added to an indescribable 
chaos. 

The peculiar quaking motion that had 
swayed Dave, Bob, and Stoodles for a few 
minutes, now departed. There was still an 
uneasy motion to things, however, as if the 
surface beneath them was being tossed in a 
great swing. 

Stoodles’ alarming statement terrified Bob 
and made Dave grave and anxious. 

‘‘How do you know it was an earthquake, 
Stoodles ? ’ ’ the latter asked. 

“Couldn’t you fale it?” demanded Pat. 
“I have, more than once — that strange sinsa- 
tion a man never forgets. ’ ’ 

182 


THE FLOATING ISLAND 


183 


‘‘But it seems over now.’’ 

“Thrue for you, and we are safe enough, 
but that’s because there is little here but bog 
and wather to quake. But the main island — 
ochone! It’s swallowed up they are, I fear, 
I do, I do!” 

Dave strained his gaze in the direction of 
the bluff where they had last seen Captain 
Broadbeam and the others. He could not, 
however, even discern outlines twenty feet 
away. 

The dead tree to which they clung was 
lodged against a mass of matted reeds and 
brushwood. It had held firm all of the time. 
As the wind lost some of its tornado-like fury, 
Dave again spoke to his companions. 

“I am wet clear through,” he said, “and 
we are resting in a bed of water now. We 
may be drowned, if this keeps up. Supj^os- 
ing we try and make our way farther north I” 

“Yes,” assented Bob. “We can’t make it 
out now, but, as we noticed, the island bunches 
up a little way ahead.” 

Stoodles said nothing. He looked blue and 
discouraged. Still, as Dave and Bob started 
traveling forward, he followed after them. 

It was blind progress, and slow and dif- 
ficult. The ground under them was very 


184 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


treacherous. At places it gave way, letting 
them up to their knees in water. At others, 
tangles of dead vines covered with thorns 
tore their clothing to shreds and lacerated the 
flesh painfully. 

Finally, however, after nearly two hours’ 
wearisome travel, they came to a point where 
there was a grove of thick, stunted trees, or 
rather high bushes. 

The tops of some of these spread so thick 
and firm that they sustained the human 
weight as would a mattress on springs have 
done. 

They burrowed down, crushing the rubbery 
branches into a kind of nest. It was a relief 
to stretch out there and rest. 

Stoodles went to sleep and Dave and Bob 
dozed. There was nothing else to do. A dull 
mist had settled over everything, and the rain 
kept coming down. 

‘‘We can only wait for it to clear up,” said 
Dave. ‘ ‘ Then we can learn something about 
our real situation.” 

“It seems a desperate one,” said Bob. 

The boys had missed sleep the night pre- 
vious. Dave was dreaming of friends and 
home when he was conscious that someone 
was pulling at his arm vigorously. 


THE FLOATING ISLAND 


185 


Wake up, Dave Fearless,’^ sounded Bob’s 
voice. 

‘ ^ Eh ? Yes, of course, ’ ’ mumbled Dave. 

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. 

‘‘Hello!” he said. “Why, it’s lightened 
up.” 

“Sure,” answered Bob. “The storm is 
over, but — look ! ’ ’ 

Sky and sea were aglow with a bright red 
radiance from the sun, which, through scat- 
tered clouds, was just sinking in the west. 

Dave eagerly struggled to his feet. He 
steadied himself by holding to the edge of 
their nest in the trees. 

He turned in a complete circuit. Then, 
with a quick gasp and a startled face, he quite 
collapsed to a sitting posture again. 

“Bob,” he cried, “it’s true!” 

“The main island,” said his companion. 
“Stoodles said it was the last of our friends. 
Yes, it looks so,” added Bob, sadly. 

‘ ‘ The earthquake has destroyed it ! ” 

“I am afraid so — we don’t seem to see it 
anywhere. ’ ’ 

Dave could scarcely realize it. Yet his 
wide glance had shown nothing but open sea 
about them. Of the entire island nothing 
seemed left excepting the low, boggy end they 


186 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

were on. This, on that broad expanse of 
waters, was a mere speck, a few acres of 
brambly brush and reeds that the next storm 
might sweep out of existence. 

Bob woke up Stoodles. The Irishman 
grumbled at being disturbed, but roused up at 
Bob’s startling statement that of all the souls 
on the island they alone seemed saved. 

‘‘Begorra! saved, is it?” cried Stoodles, 
standing up and staring around. ‘ ^ I ’m think- 
ing it’s losht we are. Ochone! I wish I was 
back on the Swalloiv.’^ 

‘‘I reckon we have small chance of ever 
seeing the 8walloii\ or any other ship, again,” 
said Bob, dolefully. 

‘‘Whisht!” 

Stoodles spoke the word startlingly. He 
stared, rubbed his eyes, and stared anew. 

“Wurra-wurra !” he kept repeating. 

“What is it, Stoodles?” asked Dave, who 
noticed that Pat was very much excited. 

“Why,” declared Stoodles, “we are 
afloat.” 

“Afloat?” repeated Dave, vaguely. 

‘ ‘ Shure, we are. Don ’t you see ? Acushla I 
it’s plain enough, now. The earthquake 
broke off this end of the island. It’s a raft 
we’re on, not dry land.” 


THE FLOATING ISLAND 


187 


^ ^ Can this be true 1 murmured Bob, looking 
wonderingly at Dave. 

Now, the swinging swaying motion seemed 
explained. 

Dave looked out at the sea surrounding 
them. He watched closely a free lump of 
driftwood at a short distance. 

Yes, Bob,’’ he said at length, believe it 
is true. We are on a floating island.” 


CHAPTER XXVI 


A QUEER RAFT 

‘ ^ A FLOATING island ? ^ ’ murmured Bob. ‘ ‘ It 
seems incredible ! ’ ^ 

All the same, we are drifting — ^you can see 
that for yourself, said Dave. 

^HCs aisy explained, put in Stoodles. 

Just as I say, this bit of island must have 
broken away from the other during the earth- 
quake. ’ ’ 

‘‘Then it couldn’t have been very tightly 
fastened on,” suggested Bob, whimsically. 

“ Asthore ! I have me own theory,” retorted 
Stoodles. “If Doctor Barrell was here, he 
could explain the scientific phenomenan. 
This is no land at all, and never was. It was 
a catch-all, dead-water bog. It’s a sort of 
big pile of kindling wood, and that is why it 
floats.” 

“If that is true, how long will it hold to- 
gether?” asked Bob. “It is now only about 
half as big as it was before.” 

188 


A QUEEK KAFT 


189 


Dave shook himself and exercised to get the 
cramp out of his limps. 

^‘Come/^ he said, ‘4t has held together so 
far in that big storm, and looks as if it would 
last for a time. This discovery relieves my 
mind on one score.” 

‘^Our friends?” asked Boh. 

Yes, we,have drifted out of sight of them. 
They may he safe.” 

^ ‘ And thinking we are the losht ones, ’ ’ said 
Stoodles. 

“We must make the best of it, anyhow,” 
continued Bob. “These trees have some kind 
of a solid base. If it is ground, let us get 
down to it and see about something to eat. ’ ’ 

“Yes, for I^m nearly starved,” said Dave. 

“Ye’ll find no porther-house steaks lying 
around loose hereabouts,” observed Stoodles. 

“But we may find as good,” replied Dave, 
encouragingly. “I see lots of birds flying 
about. ’ ’ 

“And there’s fish,” suggested Bob. 

“Have you got your line and hook with 
you?” asked Dave. 

“Yes, and the old pistol. You’re right, 
Dave. Let us hustle before it gets dark. We 
will all feel more hopeful after a good 
meal.” 


190 OKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


They traversed the tangle until they came 
to a part easily broken through. 

It was only a few feet to the ground. They 
found the soil soft and peat-like, but got clear 
of the tree-clumps. Finally they discovered 
one spot where the surface was quite solid 
and dry. 

Bob looked to his pistol and got it in shape 
for use. Then he started towards some high 
bushes that were fairly infested with all kinds 
of game-birds flying in and out. 

Dave went in another direction, telling 
Stoodles to try and find enough dry wood to 
start a fire. 

When Bob came back to the camp spot 
agreed on, he brought with him half a dozen 
dead birds resembling wild pigeons. 

‘‘Didn’t have to waste a grain of powder 
or shot,” he told Stoodles, in a very gleeful 
tone. 

‘ ‘ Luk at that, now ! ’ ’ said the hungry Irish- 
man, admiringly. 

“No, there’s just hundreds and hundreds 
of them going to roost on some low branches 
yonder. I had only to knock down what I 
wanted with a stick. ’ ’ 

Dave reported a few minutes later. He 
had his cap full of the eggs of some wild fowl. 


A QUEER RAFT 


191 


In addition to this he had stripped a wild 
grapevine. 

‘‘Why, we shall do famously,'’ he said, sur- 
veying Bob's spoils. 

“Yes, food, water, and fire — that's jolly," 
responded Bob. “When you get thirsty just 
go over beyond that bramble-heap. There's 
a dead tree there, lying like a regular trough. 
It's full of rain-water." 

Stoodles had gathered up enough dry stuff 
to start a fire. Dave got out his safety 
match-case, and soon they had a roaring 
blaze. 

The fire warmed both their hearts and 
bodies. Bob dressed the wild pigeons, and 
these were soon broiled. Dave essayed to 
bake an omelet on a thin piece of hardwood he 
had found. 

The cheerful glow and the appetizing 
aroma from the cookery made them quite 
resigned to the situation as the sun went 
down. 

Bob had a little condiment case that he 
always carried with him. Each one of the 
trio finally sat down with a well-cooked, well- 
seasoned broiled bird before him, flanked with 
a piece of omelet and a cluster of wild grapes. 

Numerous birds twittered about them, and 


192 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


several times some small animals rustled 
through the grass and trees, attracted by the 
unusual fire-glow. 

“Um-m! This is living,’^ said Bob, lift- 
ing a prime-browned wing to his mouth. 

‘ ‘ I hope our friends are alive and well, and 
faring as good,^’ added Dave. 

‘ ‘ Shure, it ’s a horse I could ate ! ’ ’ declared 
Stoodles. ^‘Tare an’ ’ouns! phwat’s that?” 

The Irishman let the dainty morsel he was 
just lifting to his lips fall back to the piece of 
bark that answered for a plate. 

Pat sprang to his feet in a terrified way. 
His companions as well were somewhat 
startled. 

A strident call had come from the high 
bushes just behind Stoodles. 

^‘Ba, Ba, Ba!” screamed a wild, blatant 
chorus, as if in derision of Pat’s fright. 

‘‘Sit down, Stoodles,” spoke Dave, as he 
caught sight of some bright-plumaged birds 
in the bushes. 

“We’re surrounded!” gasped Pat. 

“Yes — ^by parrots.” 

“Phwat! So ’tis,” muttered Pat, staring. 
“Shure, I thought it was magic — or 
murther. ’ ’ 

Stoodles started back for his interrupted 


A QUEEK KAET 


193 


lunch. Just reaching out his hand to regain 
it, however, he had a new scare. 

A bushy, agile form grazed him, and 
swooped down on his smoking feast. 

‘ ‘ A monkey ! ’ ^ cried Bob. 

‘ ‘ A whole tribe of them, back there, ’ ’ added 
Dave. 

^^Ye thafe of thewurruld!’’ yelled Stoodles, 
this time facing the situation courageously. 
‘‘It’s no meal ye’d be laving me, at all, at 
all!” 

Just as the monkey seized the broiled bird 
on Stoodles’ plate, the latter pounced down 
upon the beast. 

He caught it from behind, grasped it in a 
close embrace, and held it tightly. 

The animal gave utterance to shrill cries of 
alarm and distress. As it did so, the near 
bushes became alive with scurrying forms. 

A wild chorus of chatterings made the air 
hideous. A dozen companions of the captive 
monkey sprang towards Stoodles. 

They landed upon his head and shoulders. 
Pat fell to the ground, the enemy clinging to 
him. He kept hold of the captive, however. 

The boys had seized sticks and ran to the 
rescue of their comrade. 

Almost instantly, however, from the bushes 


194 CKUISE OF THE TEEASUKE SHIP 


there came a great shower of sticks, pieces of 
bark, and clods of turf. 

‘‘Whew! this won’t do!” cried Bob, as a 
stick struck his face, starting the blood. 

“Let go of that monkey, Stoodles, if you 
want to save trouble,” ordered Dave, and Pat 
obeyed. 

The monkeys scampered off chattering, 
now that their companion was freed. 

Bob fired his pistol in the air. This com- 
pleted the rout. They had the satisfaction of 
seeing the last of their visitors retreat to a 
distance. 

Order was now restored, and without 
further trouble the castaways resumed and 
completed their meal. 

They kept the fire burning through the 
night, taking turns tending it and keeping 
watch. 

Just at daybreak Dave and Bob woke up 
simultaneously. They found Stoodles dozing 
over the embers of the campfire. 

Dave took a look seawards. It was easy to 
discern that they were floating, like some big 
raft. 

As Dave shifted his gaze, he roused up Bob 
with the sudden cry : 

“Why, we are approaching land!” 


A QUEER RAFT 


195 


‘‘What’s that?” shouted his comrade, also 
springing to his feet. 

“Look.” 

“Dave, you’re right, and — say! see that 
tongue of land? See that high hill? Dave, 
it’s the other island!” 


CHAPTER XXVII 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 

It was an exciting hour for the three cast- 
aways. Dave had discovered land, Bob had 
recognized it, and their strange float had 
drifted straight toward it. There seemed to 
be some natural attraction between the 
original island and its former appendage. 

The floating island had made half a circuit 
of the main body of land. It now floated up 
against the latter, directly near the tongue of 
land where the marooners had been flrst put 
ashore by the crew of the Raven. 

The castaways lost no time in getting to the 
edge of their floating prison. 

^VBegorra! this makes me feel like a man 
again, declared Stoodles, as his feet touched 
solid land once more. 

^‘How about the natives?’’ asked Bob. 

‘^And what about our friends?” added 
Dave, anxiously. ‘ ‘ There has been some 
change here, though,” he went on. “See, 
Bob — that hill has split directly in two.” 

196 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 


197 


‘‘And look at that stretch of trees, all 
crushed with fallen rocks, said Bob. 

There were evidences of the recent earth- 
quake shock on every hand. 

Stoodles seemed willing to allow his com- 
panions to direct further progress. Dave 
and Bob quickly decided to cross the island. 

“We left father and the rest on the other 
side, ’ ’ said Dave. ‘ ‘ If they met with no mis- 
haps they are probably there yet.” 

“And we must find them,” said Bob. 

“How about breakfast, first?” suggested 
Stoodles. 

There were some scraps left over from the 
meal of the evening previous. Bob gathered 
up some shellfish. They built a fire, and had 
quite a satisfying repast. 

The day they had been marooned at this 
same spot, Stoodles in a brief skirmish among 
the woods had discovered some very palatable 
berries. 

He now suggested that they go on a hunt 
for some of these, claiming to be able to 
readily locate the spot where they grew. 

The boys were feeling pretty fine on ac- 
count of their remarkable escape from the 
floating island, and readily set off with Pat. 

There had been some changes in the land- 


198 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


scape, however, owing to the earthquake. 
Besides this, Stoodles’ memory was never of 
the best. They found a few berries, but not 
the ideal spot he had described. At the end 
of an hour they reached the top of a hill and 
sat down to rest. 

‘ ^ Dave, there it is again ! ’ ’ suddenly inter- 
rupted Bob, getting up a little excitedly. 

Another of your ^shots’ you mean!^’ 
asked Dave. 

^^Yes; didn’t you hear it?” 

^^Not I.” 

^^Then I did. It was a distant echo. Just 
like the one I told you I heard about ten 
minutes ago. Oh ! it was sure a shot. ’ ’ 

^ ^ Yes, and, bedad ! there was a man ! ’ ’ start- 
lingly declared Stoodles. 

The entire trio were now on their feet. 
Dave grabbed Pat ’s arm. 

‘ ^ Where — ^where ? ” he demanded. 

Stoodles extended his finger to point, but 
on a wavering focus. Then he scratched his 
head, and looked foolish. 

was mortal sure,” he murmured. ‘‘It 
was in among those bushes. I saw the glint 
of a rifle-barrel. Then a man’s cap.” 

“You must have imagined it, Stoodles,” 
said Dave. “I do not see a movement any- 


BACK TO THE ISLAND i99 

where in the bushes. None of our party has 
a rifle. According to your description it 
couldn’t have been a native. No, I guess 
Bob’s shots and your man are creatures of 
the imagination. ’ ’ 

‘'Begorra — didn’t I tell you!” 

With the sudden exclamation Stoodles 
pointed again. The bushes below them ran 
in grove-like patches. All three of them dis- 
tinctly saw a man pass across an open space. 

He was, just as Stoodles had described, a 
white man wearing a cap, and a rifle was 
slung over his shoulder. 

He was so far away, and passed out of view 
so quickly, Dave could not scan his face. 

‘‘Hide!” suggested Stoodles, breathlessly, 
looking around for a convenient nook. 

“Yes,” answered Dave. “He is a white 
man, but friend or foe we cannot yet tell. I 
can think of no white men likely to be on the 
island except our friends and ourselves, un- 
less of the Raven crowd.” 

“And they have done us all the harm they 
can,” put in Bob, “so what’s the use of run- 
ning away from them?” 

“Yes, but if this man is one of them, watch- 
ing him and following him might give us some 
inkling of what has become of the two 


200 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


steamers — and the Swallow especially,” 
responded Dave. ‘‘Where are you, Stoo- 
dles?” 

“He ran over the crest of the hill,” ex- 
plained Bob. 

“We had better hide, too,” said Dave. 

They lined bushes that protected them from 
view from below. 

“The very thing,” said Bob — “those thick, 
stumpy trees yonder, Dave. ’ ’ 

“All right.” 

They selected a tree, the top of which 
resembled a solid mass of greenery, clam- 
bered to separate crotches, and peered 
through the branches. 

“Why, where is Stoodles?” inquired Dave 
again, scanning the spot beneath and around 
them. 

“Made himself scarce somewhere,” re- 
plied Bob, carelessly — “that man is coming 
right up here. ’ ’ 

They could see the figure ever and anon, as 
intervening shrubbery permitted, steadily as- 
cending the hill. 

“Say,” ejaculated Bob, suddenly. “Look 
down this other side of the hill. ’ ’ 

Dave did so. He craned his neck and 
strained his vision. 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 


201 


^‘Why, Bob/^ he said, slowly, and in con- 
siderable surprise, “there’s smoke.” 

“Yes, just beyond that brush at the bottom 
of the hill. ’ ’ 

^ ‘ There must be a campfire there. ’ ’ 

“Sure — maybe this man’s, maybe some of 
his friends ’ ! ” 

The man himself now centered their ob- 
servation. When he was not more than fifty 
feet away Bob dropped his voice to a whisper. 

“Do you see, Dave I” he asked. “You 
were right. ’ ’ 

“One of the crew of the Raven? 

“Exactly. He is one of the fellows who 
rowed us ashore here from the Swallow, I 
can’t be mistaken. He had only one eye. I 
noticed it then, and you can see it plainly 
now. ’ ’ 

“The others must be below at the camp- 
fire, ’ ’ murmured Dave. ‘ ‘ But we saw no ship 
as we floated back to the island ? ’ ’ 

“Maybe the steamers were lost in the 
storm,” said Bob. 

“Then good-bye to our treasure!” re- 
sponded Dave, with a sigh. 

They ceased talking as the man reached 
the crest of the hill. There he stood for a 
minute or two, taking an observation. He 


202 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


made out the smoke of the campfire, and 
started to descend the other side of the hill 
towards it. 

There is some reconnoitering to do here, 
I’m thinking,” spoke Bob, as the man got out 
of ear-shot. 

^^Yes,” nodded Dave, thoughtfully. 
would be pretty glad to know what has be- 
come of the Swallow. Don’t climb down 
yet. Let the man get clear out of sight, 
first.” 

‘^Dave, there’s Stoodles!” said Bob, 
suddenly. 

^^Why, so it is. Well, he found a cozy 
corner, right enough. ’ ’ 

Stoodles had chosen a snug retreat. At 
just that moment he cautiously stuck his head 
out of the end of an empty log. 

The log lay about ten feet down the hill- 
side. It was about twenty feet long, and 
hollow. 

Into this Stoodles had crawled. Now the 
watchers saw his head obtrude, his eyes, 
directed down the slope, fixed on the descend- 
ing figure of the man. 

Stoodles drew in his head. As he did so, 
Dave observed that the log moved slightly. 
It seemed to have rolled a few feet down the 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 203 

hill at some time or other, but had been halted 
by some stray tufts of bushes. 

As Stoodles appeared to wriggle inside, the 
log wriggled, too. His head came out again 
after a minute. He seemed to fit in pretty 
tightly, and was pushing himself out slowly. 

‘^Begorra !” they heard him pant under his 
breath. 

''Careful, Stoodles!’^ Have ventured to 
call down from his leafy perch, about thirty 
feet away. 

"He’s done it!” exclaimed Bob. 

The head shot back out of view. The log 
had quivered, rolled over once, twice, and then 
went whizzing down the steep incline. 

Have and Bob held their breath in pro- 
found speculation and interest. The descent 
was not a noisy one. The man bound for the 
campfire did not discover the approach of the 
log until it was fairly upon him. 

He turned, and uttered a sharp shout. 
Then he tried to spring out of its way. . It 
caught him across the ankles, whipped him 
off his feet, sent him up into the air, and then 
he dropped headlong to the ground. 

The log continued its course. Have and 
Bob watched it to the last. It struck the 
fringe of bushes beyond which was the smoke. 


204 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

Mowing these down like blades of grass, 
it passed over them and dropped out of 
sight. 

A cloud of sparks and ashes shot whirling 
up into the air. Then combined yells of rage 
and pain rang out. 

The log in which Stoodles was a prisoner, 
after rolling over these bushes, shot over a 
slight dirt ledge. 

It fell about four feet, and dropped straight 
into the campfire the smoke of which had for 
some time attracted the attention of Dave and 
Bob. 

The result was to send up into the air a 
cloud of sparks and ashes. Four men seated 
about it were covered with the scattered em- 
bers. They fell back and scrambled to their 
feet, giving utterance to cries of consterna- 
tion and of distress as the blazing brands 
were dashed into their faces. 

Stoodles sustained a mighty bump. It 
half stunned him. This, combined with the 
dizzy whirl of the preceding two minutes, 
kept him in a daze for some time. 

The man tipped over in the descent of the 
log came limping to the spot. He and the 
others had about decided that the log had 
arrived of its own impetus, and were treating 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 205 

the matter as a natural circumstance, when 
they jumped back in startled wonder. 

Stoodles’ head projected slowly into view 
from one end of the log, and his voice 
raised a voluble expressive: ‘‘Begorra!^’ 

Then he saw the five men staring at him, 
slowly extricated himself from his prison, 
and half lay on the ground, nursing his many 
painful bruises and eying the men with sur- 
prise and disfavor. 

‘‘Why,’^ spoke the foremost of the group, 
^'it^s Pat Stoodles! See here,” he added, 
advancing with a suspicious glance all about, 
‘^what brought you here?” 

^‘The log, shure — don’t you see?” mum- 
bled the Irishman. 

‘‘Where did you come from?” 

“The top of the hill, of course.” 

Stoodles looked over the crowd with no 
pleasure in glance or manner. The spokes- 
man and their leader he at once recognized 
as Cal Vixen, the diver of the Raven. 

This man at once beckoned his companions 
to a hasty whispered confab at a little dis- 
tance. 

They appeared roused-up and excited. 
Three of them, all having rifles, immediately 
started in as many directions. Their mis- 


206 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


sion, it was apparent, was to learn if any 
more intruders were in the neighborhood. 

Finally Stoodles got upright, after many 
groans and grimaces. He sat down on a tree- 
stump as Vixen again approached him. 

‘‘See here,’’ said the diver, “you are the 
Irishman we put ashore with the Sivallow 
crowd. ’ ’ 

“Don’t you well know it?” retorted Pat. 

“Where is Captain Broadbeam and Doctor 
Barrel!?” 

“I know no better than your ownself,” 
answered Stoodles, truthfully. 

“You all came ashore at the same time.” 

‘ ‘ And we got separated at the same time, ’ ’ 
explained Stoodles. “The earthquake swal- 
lyed things up. Wirra — wirra! it’s half kilt 
I am.” 

Vixen was only half satisfied, but he could 
see that Stoodles was not anxious to give out 
any information. Pat had dropped his face 
in his hands in a melancholy sort of a way, 
as if disheartened and having no interest in 
life whatever. 

He slipped down on the grass, muttering 
to himself and acting in a dazed way, and 
closed his eyes as if determined to go to sleep 
and forget his troubles. 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 


207 


Vixen looked worked-up and curious. As 
his scouts came in one after the other to re- 
port no trace of any more intruders, he 
walked up and down thoughtfully. 

The men with him Stoodles had recognized 
as persons he had previously seen aboard of 
the Raven y members of Captain Nesik’s crew. 

^^See here, Vixen,’’ spoke one of them 
finally, approaching him, ^ ‘ that fellow yonder 
may know something of interest to us.” 

don’t think it,” answered Vixen. ‘‘He 
always struck me as a stupid soft of a person. 
They say his long exile on this island here 
with the natives made him about half-witted. 
I reckon he about tells the truth. They had a 
shake up in that quake. The others may 
have been done for by that or the natives. 
They are no use to us, anyhow. ’ ’ 

“They may have seen the steamers.” 

“Did we? No, I tell you, as I told you be- 
fore,” went on Vixen, “that when the storm 
came both ships were driven out to sea. We 
were unfortunate in being away from them on 
a hunting scout when the storm came.” 

“What are you going to do, then? We 
have been clear around the island, and there ’s 
no trace of the ships.” 

“Why, I think I will follow out the plan I 


208 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 

mentioned. I know where there are some 
canoes. We saw a heap of the natives put 
out to sea after the quake. TheyVe gone 
somewhere. To some other island, of course. 
Well, we’ll go there, too. We may find the 
ships there, mayn’t we? Yes, that’s the only 
course open to us, unless you want to stay 
here and lose your share of that treasure. ’ ’ 

To all this Stoodles was listening with ears 
perfectly alert. The man who was with 
Vixen looked him over speculatively. Sud- 
denly he said : 

Vixen, I’ve got an idea.” 

^‘All right?” 

About this fellow Stoodles. Wasn’t he 
once a sort of king of the natives on this 
island ? ’ ’ 

^^He was their king for a number of years. 
That’s the story, anyhow.” 

^^Does he understand their language?” 

‘‘He must, of course.” 

“Then, don’t you see,” pursued the man, 
eagerly, “we can make him of great use to 
us. We are bound to run across the natives 
again. They are sure to know what became 
of the steamers. We’ll hunt them up, as you 
suggest. Then, maybe, this fellow, having 
been their king, will have considerable in- 


BACK TO THE ISLAND 209 

fluence with them. Anyhow, he can talk to 
them in their own language. ’ ’ 

‘^Say, that is quite an idea,’^ observed 
Vixen. ‘‘Let the fellow rest, and treat him 
well. It’s another mouth to feed, but we’ll 
make it pay us. Keep an eye on him, and 
see that he don’t get away. When he wakes 
up. I’ll have another talk with him. It’s 
likely that a promise of some of that treasure 
would induce him to work hand-in-glove with 
us.” 

“Begorra, ye spalpanes!” murmured 
Stoodles, as the two speakers moved from the 
spot; “it’s a rope’s end I’d be helping you to. 
Acushla ! where are the boys, and how am I 
going to get out of this ? ’ ’ 

Stoodles had no wish to again face his 
former subjects. As to accompanying the 
high-handed wretches who had become pirates 
under Captain Nesik’s orders, this he was de- 
termined not to do. 

He resolved to watch his opportunity, to 
creep away while unobserved. Then he 
would try to rejoin Dave and Bob. 

Stoodles watched his chance for about an 
hour. His opportunity seemed to come when 
four of the crowd were away from the camp. 
The fifth was dozing at a distance. 


210 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Stoodles crept in among the bushes. He 
got beyond a ridge of high brush, and ran a 
distance. He lay down and crept past an 
open space. 

^‘Bad cess to you, for a murtherin’ crew 
that has made all this trouble!’’ he muttered, 
shaking his fist back at the camp. 

Then he braced for a run through a wooded 
stretch, planning to reach the top of the hill 
by a circuitous course. 

Ten feet advanced, however, Stoodles came 
to a dismayed halt. A man stepped directly 
in his path. He leveled a rifle. 

It was Cal Vixen, and he spoke sharply. 

‘‘March back.” 

“I won’t!” said Stoodles, stubbornly, and 
made a rush to get past Vixen. 

The latter grasped him. He held him, 
struggling, whistled once or twice, and very 
soon two of his men came rushing up to the 
spot. 

They forced Stoodles to the camp, but he 
made them carry him bodily. 

Once there, they got some strong rope and 
tied their prisoner to a tree. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


THE SLEEP BEKRIES 

Dave and Bob had not been able to witness 
the end of Pat Stoodles’ exciting descent of 
the hill. 

When the log dropped into the embers of 
the campfire it reached a lower level, and the 
bushes it swept over came upright again. 
Thus there was a screen between Stoodles and 
his friends in the tree-top. 

^^Whew!’’ said Bob, as the yells in the 
direction of the camp ceased. ‘‘That was a 
slide for keeps. 

“I hope Stoodles is not hurt,’’ murmured 
Dave. “There must be several men down 
yonder. The fellow Stoodles tripped is up 
and limping. Now, he’s gone.” 

“We want to find out about this,” said Bob, 
briskly, getting ready to descend to the 
ground. 

“Wait a bit,” directed Dave. “We are 
safe here, and we may not be safe anywhere 
else at present. Let us see what develops.” 

211 


212 CKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


The hoys waited patiently for about twenty 
minutes. They were about to descend, when 
the three men whom Cal Vixen had sent out 
were seen by them leaving the camp. 

know one of those men,’^ said Bob. 
‘‘He was aboard the Raven. There — one of 
those others wears a red fez*. That shows 
we have run into a nest of those rascals who 
marooned us.’’ 

“I wonder what they have done with 
Stoodles — what their idea is, how they come 
to be here?” spoke Dave, thoughtfully. 

“Those three men act as if they were 
searching for somebody,” suggested Bob. 

“Keep quiet. Bob,” ordered Dave. “One 
of them is coming directly this way.” 

The actions of the man showed that he was 
looking over something. He examined the 
spot where the big log had started rolling. 
He carried his gun ready for instant action, 
to guard against a surprise. 

After rambling all over the crest of the hill 
he stood still for a spell, slowly turning and 
sweeping the expanse in every direction. In 
this broad survey he used a pocket telescope. 

Then he went back to the camp. In turn, 
after a spell the other two men with rifles also 
returned. 


THE SLEEP BERRIES 


213 


‘^The coast is clear,” said Dave. ‘‘We 
must do something, Bob.” 

“Yes, but what! and how! and what are we 
after!” inquired Bob. “I’m not afraid to 
walk right into these fellows. They look as 
if they were marooned or shipwrecked them- 
selves.” 

“I hardly think they would be friendly or 
any benefit to us,” responded Dave. “Stoo- 
dles doesn’t show up. If everything was 
right, he would have us hailed, or come back 
to us.” 

“Maybe he is hurt — stunned by the fall 
down yonder,” suggested Bob. 

“I am anxious about him, anyway,” said 
Dave. “We must find out what has become 
of him. And we needn’t put our feet into it 
by venturing too boldly. You stay here, Bob. 
I will make a sort of detour of the hill, and get 
in among that brush back of the camp. I’ll 
see how the land lies, and come back and re- 
port to you. Then we will consult over the 
best way to act.” 

“All right,” agreed Bob, “although I 
would like to do a little spying on my own 
account. ’ ’ 

“Take it slow, Bob,” answered Dave. 
“We don’t know all we ought to know about 


214 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


this crowd. Hello ! there is Stoodles 
now. ’ ^ 

' ' So it is. Say ! the thing’s serious, Dave. ’ ’ 

What the two watchers from the tree-top 
saw was the outcome of Pat Stoodles ’ unsuc- 
cessful break for liberty. 

At an open space beyond the camp, just 
then. Vixen’s men were bodily carrying the 
struggling Stoodles back into captivity. 

Dave and Bob had only a fleeting glimpse 
of prisoner and captors ere they were shut 
from view by intervening undergrowth. 

^‘Did you see the man in the rear!” asked 
Bob, breathlessly. 

^‘Yes.” 

‘Ht was Cal Vixen, the diver.” 

thought so. Well, one sure thing, 
Stoodles is alive and kicking, and those fel- 
lows are not his friends, nor ours, either. 
W^e must be more cautious than ever. They 
are armed. We don’t know their number. 
Wait here till I come back. Bob.” 

Dave climbed down the tree-trunk. He 
kept his eyes all the time on the spot where 
the camp of their enemies was located. 

He got over the ridge of the hill, and went 
north quite a distance. Then, trusting to the 
shelter of a dense jungle growth, he cut 


THE SLEEP BERRIES 


215 


obliquely across the hill slant, but soon lost 
his way completely. 

It took him a long time to locate himself. 
Then he estimated that he must be directly in 
a line with the camp. 

Now Dave began to work his way nearer 
towards that spot. 

He dared not trust himself to the open, and 
it was no easy task forcing his way through 
the thick, matted brush. At last, however, 
he found a dried-up watercourse. It wound 
in and out, and led in the direction of the 
camp. 

The sandy bottom of the watercourse was 
spongy and shifting, and Dave kept as close 
to its firmer edges as he could. 

Dave lined the gully for a short distance, 
leaped it where it became very narrow, and 
set his face towards the camp. 

As he entered a grove of tall saplings he 
knew that he must be very near to the camp, 
for he could faintly detect the odor of burn- 
ing wood in the air. 

Beaching the edge of the grove, Dave 
emerged into a little forest. Through the 
trees he could see a column of smoke rising 
quite plainly. 

Just as he had blocked out a course still 


216 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


farther forward, Dave suddenly made a dive 
for a thick brush and hiding. 

Someone was tramping through the under- 
brush at one side. Dave crouched down. 
Then he got up briskly. 

‘‘No, you don’t!’’ sounded a loud voice. 
“I see you. Aha! stand and deliver. I 
mane, surrender. ’ ’ 

“Stoodles!” cried Bob. “Is it possible? 
Why, what are you up to ? ” 

Dave stared hard at his companion of many 
perils. The erratic Irishman looked more 
whimsical than ever. 

He carried two rifles over one shoulder and 
a third in his other hand. In fact, he was a 
perfect walking arsenal. 

“I am captain-gineral of the forces of this 
island,” pronounced Stoodles, gravely. “I 
arrest ye for desertion. Front face, forward 
march, and repoort to the court-martial ! ’ ’ 

Dave was both amused and astonished. 

“See here, Stoodles,” he said, “will you 
kindly explain how you come to be free, and 
what you are up to, tramping about armed 
to the teeth. ’ ’ 

“Armed to the teeth, am I?” grinned 
Stoodles. “Then it’s young Bob you should 
see armed to the ears! Shure, it’s six ray- 


THE SLEEP BEKRIES 


217 


volvers and four hunting-knives he has cap- 
tured. Ah! the broth of a boy. And the 
broth he makes — ^ha ! ha ! ’ ’ 

Stoodles had to put down his weapons to 
indulge in a tit of uproarious laughing. 

^‘You will be heard/’ warned Dave, with a 
glance towards the camp. 

‘^Who by?” demanded Stoodles, with bold 
inditference. 

‘‘Vixen and his men.” 

‘ ‘ Ho ! ho ! ” chuckled Stoodles. ‘ ‘ Begorra ! 
they couldn’t hear a cannon, or a hurry cane, 
or an earthquake. It was you I was looking 
for. Bob sent me. Come into camp, and see 
how we treat the bould rapparees that dare to 
lay hands on the illustrious king of the Island 
Windjammers ! ’ ’ 

Dave’s curiosity was very great, and he 
immediately accompanied Stoodles. He 
knew that something of startling import 
must have happened since he had left Bob 
Vilett. 

In considerable wonderment Dave gazed 
around, as they came directly to the spot 
where he had seen Stoodles conveyed a pris- 
oner a few hours previous. 

Near the embers of a campfire on the 
ground was one of the native boiling-pots of 


218 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

stone. Stretched about it were five men — 
Cal Vixen and his associates. 

They were sound asleep, profoundly so, for 
they made not the slightest stir as Bob, seated 
near by, whistled cheerily as he fixed the 
buckles on some leather belts with holsters. 

Bob jumped up with a glad, excited smile 
as Dave came into view. He hailed him with 
a joyous welcome. 

^‘Thought you were lost, or something 
worse, he said. 

‘^What has been happening here, BobT’ 
asked Dave, curiously. 

‘‘Why,” explained Bob, with sparkling 
eyes, “what had to happen to get Stoodles out 
of their clutches.” 

‘ ‘ I wish you would explain ? ^ ’ 

“That’s easy and simple. I waited nearly 
an hour for you to return. You didn’t come, 
and I got bored and restless. I took it on my- 
self to do a little scouting, and managed 
finally to get into the shelter of that big bush 
yonder. Notice it — the one full of red 
berries?” 

“Yes, I see it,” answered Dave. 

“Well, I took up my quarters there, and 
could see everything in the camp here. 
Stoodles was tied to a tree, so I knew these , 


THE SLEEP BERRIES 219 

fellows weren’t friends. They were cooking 
some game in that stone pot yonder. I made 
a discovery. This did the rest. ’ ’ 

Bob took from his pocket a short piece of 
bamboo, stout and hollow. 

‘‘I don’t understand,” murmured Dave, 
his face showing bewilderment. 

‘‘Why, I remembered what that bush was. 
Stoodles told me, the first time we were on 
this island. That bush you know is ‘ the sleep 
berry.’ The natives use it as a narcotic in 
cases of sickness. An idea came to me to 
dose those fellows. This piece of bamboo 
was lying near handy. With that as a blow- 
gun I had no trouble in shooting a dozen 
berries into the boiling soup-kettle.” 

“Shure! didn’t I say he was a broth of a 
boy?” cried Stoodles. 

“They were all asleep half an hour after 
eating the meal,” continued Bob. “Then I 
cut Stoodles loose, and we made sure of their 
weapons and ammunition. I sent Stoodles 
out to find you. ’ ’ 

“And I had no opporchunity to fire off the 
alarum guns before he marches into camp 
himself,” added Stoodles. 

“When will those men wake up?” Dave 
asked of Stoodles. 


220 CKUISE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 


about two hours, but they will be weak 
as cats for many hours later.’’ 

^ ^ I do not see any use of lingering here, ’ ’ 
said Dave, thoughtfully. ‘‘These are bad, 
treacherous men. They do not seem to know 
the whereabouts of the Sivallow or the Raven 
any more than we do. If we let them get the 
upper hand of us again, they may make us all 
sorts of trouble.” 

“Then you advise that we slip away while 
they are asleep ? ’ ’ asked Bob. 

“Yes, I do.” 

“And so do I,” added Stoodles. “Our 
friends on the other side of the island may be 
needing our services, and now that we have 
firearms I expect we can be of some use to 
them. ’ ’ 

They decided to start forthwith. Dave 
built up the campfire and insisted that they 
should leave the slumberers one of the rifles 
and three of the revolvers. 

“There will be little danger of their being 
attacked by wild beasts in the daylight,” he 
said. “With a rifle and the small arms they 
can get plenty to eat and defend themselves. 
They seem to intend to get canoes and reach 
some other island. Let them go their way, 
and we will go ours. ’ ’ 


THE SLEEP BERKIES 


221 


''And good riddance to the bad lot of 
them/’ spoke Stoodles. 

The middle of the day was pretty hot, but 
they made considerable progress, resting in 
the shade occasionally. 

It was about three o’clock in the afternoon 
when Dave, piloting a way through the jungle, 
paused suddenly. He lifted his hand to warn 
to silence his comrades who trailed after 
him. 

"The native village,” he whispered, as Bob 
and Stoodles came nearer. "It is just 
ahead. ’ ’ 

"Let us get out of this quick, then,” sug- 
gested Bob. "We will make a detour to the 
north and reach the tree-bridge that way. ’ ’ 

"Hould on!” challenged Stoodles. 

He had been peering through the bushes, 
studying the prospect beyond critically. Then 
he advanced a bold step. 

"You will be seen,” warned Bob. 

"Faith, I’ll not,” coolly rejoined Pat, "for 
there’s no one to see me. It’s just as I 
thought. There’s not a living soul in the 
village. ’ ’ 

"Is that so?” said Dave, wonderingly. 
"Why, you are right, Stoodles.” 

All had now broken through the jungle. 


222 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

The village was in clear sight before them. 
It was a heap of ruins. 

Fire had devastated a great portion of it. 
The earthquake or the cyclone had razed 
nearly every one of the native huts. 

‘ ^ I knew they wouldn T stay here after that 
trouble,’’ said Stoodles. 

^^But where have they gone!” asked Bob. 

‘^Probably to some of the other settle- 
ments.” 

They poked over the ruins of some of the 
huts and found several weapons abandoned in 
a hasty flight. Then they started in the 
direction of the tree-bridge. 

hope father and the others are safe and 
sound,” murmured Dave. 

He grew more and more anxious as they 
neared the spot where the day before they 
had so strangely parted from their friends. 

‘^Hurrah!” Bob was the first to shout, as 
they came in sight of the swamp-hole. 

^^What is it. Bob?” asked Dave, breath- 
lessly. 

‘‘Don’t you see?” 

“I see nobody. Bob.” 

“No, but look at this vine cable. It spans 
the space where that fellow Trench blew the 
bridge down with the dynamite. Oh ! there ’s 


THE SLEEP BERRIES 


223 


been something doing here. See, too, the 
bluff has stood the quake. I know our friends 
are all right, now. ’ ’ 

As they approached the chasm and made a 
closer inspection, Dave felt more and more 
hopeful. Sure enough, a stout cable formed 
of woven vines spanned the chasm. 

It had evidently been prepared with great 
care by many hands. Studying out the situa- 
tion, it seemed as if the party on the bluff had 
swung one end across the gap attached to a 
stout root crooked like an iron hook. The 
lightest one of the party had then ventured to 
cross. He had safely anchored the cable end, 
and the rest had come over in safety. 

‘ ^ And now, the question is : where have they 
gone toT’ said Dave. 

Bob made a trumpet of his hands. For 
fully two minutes he gave a series of calls that 
made the echoes ring far and wide. 

‘^They don’t seem very near, ai^d that’s a 
fact,” he admitted, after waiting a spell and 
receiving no reply to his vigorous signaling. 

^‘Captain Broadbeam will be making for 
the sayshore, that is shure,” declared 
Stoodles. 

‘ ‘ Then we will go that way, too, ’ ’ answered 
Dave. 


224 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

They went back the course they had just 
come for about a mile. Then they struck out 
towards the west. 

^‘The ocean is not far away,” said Dave. 

^^Say, Dave, that derelict, the Priscilla, is 
somewhere around here, too, isn’t it?” asked 
Bob. 

‘‘Yes, right ahead of us yonder.” 

As they came to the timber sweep that Dave 
had explored the morning of their flight from 
the native camp, they found here further de- 
vastation caused by the earthquake. 

At one point they had to climb over a per- 
fect barricade of fallen trees, torn from their 
roots as if they had been mere blades of 
grass. 

They had sat down to rest after this ardu- 
ous exertion, when Dave gave a start and 
arose to his feet. 

‘ ‘ What was that ? ” he exclaimed. 

‘ ‘ What ? ’ ’ inquired Bob. 

“A human voice.” 

‘ ‘ I didn ’t 4ear anything. ’ ’ 

“Faith, I did,” said Stoodles — “but it was 
a parrot, maybe.” 

“Listen!” ordered Dave, lifting a silencing 
hand and bending his ear intently. 

“Help!” 


THE SLEEP BEHRIES 


225 


^ ^ Goodness ! ’ ’ cried Bob — ' ‘ that ’s plain 
enough. ’ ’ 

They all stood stock-still. Faintly the cry 
was repeated : 

‘^Help! Help!” 

‘‘Bob!” gasped Dave, seizing his chum’s 
arm and turning quite pale, “that was my 
father’s voice!” 


CHAPTER XXIX 


REUNITED 

Dave Fearless was greatly agitated. He 
could not mistake his father’s voice at any 
time. Strange as were the surroundings and 
mystifying as was the source from which the 
call proceeded, Dave was sure that this was a 
real signal of distress from his beloved 
parent. 

Where is he?” asked Bob Vilett, looking 
around in a puzzled way. 

‘‘I do not know, but we must search and 
find out at once,” said Dave, his voice trem- 
bling with emotion. 

‘‘There it is again!” said Stoodles, sud- 
denly. 

“Help!” 

The cry was quite faint now, but it sounded 
more distinctly than before, for their hearing 
was strained and they were standing per- 
fectly still. 

Its echoes. instantly directed their attention 
to a spot where the earthquake or the wind 
226 


KEUNITED 


227 


had mowed down some trees as if they were 
pipe-stems. 

‘^It’s around yonder spot, if it's any- 
where," said Stoodles. 

The party hurried forward. Dave shouted 
at the top of his voice as he ran : 

‘‘Father! father!" 

‘ ‘ Dave ! Dave ! ' ' floated on the air in muf- 
fled accents. 

“There!" said Bob Vilett, positively. 

He pointed at a nearly upright tree. Its 
top had been recently broken otf. It seemed 
to have been blown half over, for its roots and 
the earth about them were disturbed. Then 
in some way it had nearly righted itself 
again. 

They all stood still, oppressed with wonder 
and dread. Dave's name was again called. 
The voice sounded right under the roots of 
the tree. 

“Father!" shouted Dave again. 

“My son!" came faintly from the spot at 
which they were all gazing. 

“Oh, he is under there!" cried Dave — 
“crushed, perhaps dying!" 

‘ ‘ But how could he ever get there 1 ' ' ques- 
tioned Bob. 

“I don't know," murmured poor Dave, in 


228 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


an agony of suspense. ‘‘Help me to reach 
him. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But how are we going to T ’ asked 
Stoodles. 

“Dig, pull away the roots. See, most of 
them are broken, ^ ^ said Dave. 

“Hould^ on, now. I have a theory,” inter- 
rupted Stoodles. ‘ ‘ This way, Bob, and moind 
your eye, for it^s an experiment I’m thrying, 
and we may get bounced and tumbled. You, 
lad, stay here,” he added to Dave. 

The tree slanted. Stoodles ran up its 
trunk. He told Bob to follow him. When 
they got to the middle they halted. 

“Now, throw your weight with mine on this 
big limb,” directed Stoodles. “Ah, she 
gives ! she gives ! ’ ’ 

Their weight tore the tree fully fifteen de- 
grees farther aslant. 

‘ ‘ I see him — I see my father ! ’ ’ cried Dave, 
from below. 

“Climb higher,” ordered Stoodles to 
Bob. “Now, out on that branch, and hang 
there. ’ ’ 

The tree continued to bend out. 

“How is that*?” shouted down Stoodles. 
“WeVe made it,” he added at once to Bob. 

‘ ‘ Mr. Fearless is rescyed. ’ ’ 


REUNITED 


229 


The tree sank back into its root pit as the 
climbers dropped to the ground. 

They found Amos Fearless, pale and weak, 
sitting on the ground, and Dave brushing 
sand and dirt from him. 

When the roots had been forced up by the 
weight of his friends aloft, Dave had suc- 
ceeded in discovering his father and pulling 
him out. 

Amos Fearless was badly squeezed and 
scratched, but no limbs were broken. 

When he had recovered his composure, he 
told them how it had all happened. 

‘‘We got away from the tree-bridge, and 
made a camp on the seashore about a mile 
from here, ’ ’ explained the old diver. ‘ ‘ About 
noon Mr. Trench loaned me his revolver, and 
I wandered in this direction to hunt for game. 
This tree had been blown over in the storm, 
but not entirely uprooted. As it was swing- 
ing back to its root bed another tree must 
have blown directly across its top, holding it 
in suspense.” 

‘ ‘ I see — the tree yonder, ’ ’ nodded Dave. 

“As I happened along here, a fine wild goat 
started browsing over near those bushes. I 
crawled up towards it, and, hiding till it came 
nearer, got down into the root pit. In a few 


230 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


minutes the goat was within thirty feet — I 
took a careful aim and was about to fire, when 
the animal must have caught the glint of my 
weapon. At all events, it made a great bound, 
directly over the fallen tree. Its progress 
must have disarranged the delicate balance 
that held this tree a prisoner. Before I could 
realize it the tree snapped free. Its roots 
came back to place, wedging me down into the 
hole like a pancake. Only that most of the 
roots on one side had snapped in two before, 
I would have been instantly crushed to 
death. ’ ’ 

Dave helped his father when they started 
from the spot to reach the camp on the sea- 
shore. Mr. Fearless was limping slightly. 

^‘Hurrah!’’ shouted Bob, as, an hour later, 
they came in sight of a little coterie on the 
beach, near a campfire. 

The welcome of the returned castaways was 
warm and genuine. Captain Broadbeam, 
who had not been able to sleep a wink for 
anxiety during their absence, looked posi- 
tively joyful. 

Trench had appointed himself the forager 
for the party and Henry Dale was the cook. 
They banqueted the refugees with a royal 
feast of oysters, fish, and game. 


EEUNITED 


231 


‘‘What about the natives, captain?” asked 
Dave, finally. “Have you seen anything of 
them ? ^ ’ 

“Not a soul, Dave,” answered Captain 
Broadbeam. “It looks as if the earth- 
quake had scared them into leaving the 
island.” 

‘ ‘ Some of them at least put to sea, we know 
that, ^ ' said Doctor Barrell. 

“You saw them?” inquired Bob. 

“No, but we found six canoes down on the 
beach yonder. They had drifted ashore 
there. Their owners were probably drowned 
in the storm.” 

“Yes, and if you had not appeared,” put 
in Captain Broadbeam, “we should have 
started out the fleet on a search for you to- 
morrow.” 

“Why,” said Dave, looking out to sea, 
“there’s a canoe afloat, now.” 

“So it is,” responded Amos Fearless, shad- 
ing his eyes with his hands and gazing out at 
the water. ‘ ‘ Can it be one of those we found, 
got adrift in some way?” 

“I’ll soon find out,” volunteered Heniy 
Dale, starting away from the camp. 

“Hold on. I will go with you for com- 
pany, ’ ’ said Dave. 


232 CKUISE OF TPIE TREASURE SHIP 


When they reached a little inlet they found 
the six canoes all right. 

^^No, that canoe out yonder isn’t ours. It’s 
a new one,” said Dale. 

Supposing we capture it, then,” sug^ 
gested Dave. ‘‘We ought to have one 
around.” 

“All right.” 

They selected a canoe having paddles, and 
were soon afloat. Dave was glad of this op- 
portunity to get better acquainted with 
Henry Dale. 

He was much interested in the young man, 
and he felt pretty glad every time he reflected 
that when the proper time came he could put 
him in possession of the derelict, Priscilla^ 
and the ten thousand dollars reward. 

The more he saw of Dale the better he liked 
him. All the young fellow seemed to think 
of was his father and mother, and his young 
sisters and brothers at home. His solicitude 
for them showed his true loyalty, and this 
pleased Dave. 

“I’ll get her,” said Dave, as they neared 
the drifting canoe. 

He had brought along a bare hooked tree- 
branch. As Dale paddled, he reached out 
and caught the hook in the prow of the canoe. 


REUNITED 


233 


‘‘Hello he ejaculated, as he pulled the 
canoe alongside. 

‘ ‘ What is it r ^ asked Dale. 

“Why,” answered Dave in surprise, “this 
canoe isn T empty. There ’s a man in it ! ” 

Henry Dale at once suspended paddling. 
He looked steadfastly into the drifting 
canoe. 

It had no paddles. Stretched full-length 
inside was a native, his eyes closed and per- 
fectly motionless. 

“Is he asleep — or dead?” whispered Dale, 
in an awed tone. 

“Neither, I think,” answered Dave. “I 
can hear him breathing and muttering to him- 
self. He is hurt.” 

Dave pointed to one side of the man’s head. 
It was badly lacerated as if with a piece of 
falling rock or flying tree debris. 

They paddled quickly back to shore. When 
they reached the beach they each took an end 
of the canoe, and carried it and its occupant 
straight into camp. 

The others were stirred up at their strange 
find. 

“Here is work for you. Doctor Barrell,” 
said Dave. 

They lifted the wounded native to the 


234 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

ground, and the doctor speedily examined 
him. 

The man was pretty badly cut and bruised 
about the head and face. Doctor Harrell said 
it was not very serious, though. 

He dressed the man’s wounds, forced some 
drugs from his pocket medicine-case down his 
throat, and said he would be all right in the 
morning. 

^‘He is one of the runners I sent out to 
look for the Swalloiv and the Raven^’^ de- 
clared Stoodles. 

‘‘Then he may be able to tell you something 
of importance,” suggested Captain Broad- 
beam. 

“Height ye are, your honor,” replied Pat, 
“and I hereby constitute myself his noorse 
till I make him spake.” 

When Dave woke up the next morning, he 
found Stoodles seated on the ground by the 
side of a comfortable bed of grass and leaves 
he had made for the wounded native. The 
Irishman was feeding the convalescent, and 
conversing with him in the native dialect. 

The others kept at a distance, and did not 
intrude on the conversation. They all felt 
that something of importance might result 
from it. 


KEimiTED 


235 


Finally, Stoodles left the side of the native. 
He strutted towards his friends with a very 
consequential air. 

^‘What’s doing, Stoodles T’ spoke Bob, 
curiously. 

with your hat to his royal majesty, ye 
rude gossoon!’’ bombastically ordered Pat, 
giving Bob’s cap a knock to the ground. 
‘ ^ Gentlemen, I am once more a king. ’ ’ 

What’s this nonsense?” demanded Cap- 
tain Broadbeam. 

^‘Nonsense , is it?” challenged Stoodles. 
‘^Begorra! I’m spaking facts. It’s king of 
this island I am again, and not a soul to deny 
me.” 

‘‘With one subject?” put in Bob, slyly. 

“ Arrah ! the rest of them will come flocking 
to me as soon as they know I have retoorned. 
You know the fellow that put me off my 
throne ? ’ ’ 

“Yes — Aysha,” nodded Captain Broad- 
beam. 

‘ ‘ He died — two hours after sazing the royal 
toga. ’ ’ 

“Aha!” said Doctor Barrell. “I can sur- 
mise that. The fellow fairly plastered him- 
self with the phosphorus paint. A little of it 
on the face does no harm. But when he 


236 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


covered his entire body with it, he closed all 
the pores. I apprehended a fatal result. 

^ ^ I guess you are right, dochter, from what 
me minion yonder tells me. Then the earth- 
quake came. He says the natives took this 
all to mane my kingly wrath because they had 
bounced me.’’ 

And they want you for their king again?” 
asked Dave. 

‘‘He says they are fairly pining for me.” 

“What has become of the natives?” 

“Nearly all of them fled from the island in 
their canoes when the earthquake came.” 

‘ ‘ Does he know anything about the Sivallow 
or the RavenP’ asked Amos Fearless. 

“Faith, he do,” answered Stoodles with 
amination, “and that’s the best part of it. 
He says that at the other end of this island 
there were two big ships when the storm came 
up. One was partly wrecked.” 

“Which one?” inquired Captain Broad- 
beam, anxiously. 

‘ ‘ From what he says, it must have been the 
Swalloiv.’*^ 

“Too bad!” 

“Oh, it wasn’t so bad, he says,” continued 
Stoodles. ‘ ‘ The crew went to the other boat 
iu a hurry. The wrecked ship drifted to the 


EEUNITED 


237 


side of another island. He says he saw it, 
and knows where it is.’’ 

‘‘And what became of the RavenP^ 

“He doesn’t know. He was adrift for six 
hours without paddles. Then he was thrown 
ashore on the rocks on the other island and 
nearly kilt. Then he found a canoe and got 
afloat again. He was hurt and sick, and he 
doesn’t know anything further until he woke 
up in bed yonder. ’ ’ 

Captain Broadbeam was greatly excited at 
all this important information. 

He paced the sand to and fro, all stirred up. 

Finally, he said : 

‘ ‘ Stoodles, get that man to guide us to that 
other island, and I’ll give you a life job at 
double pay as chief mate of the Swallow,'*^ 


CHAPTER XXX 


A SWIM FOR LIFE 

‘^Dave, I can’t go a step farther!” 

‘‘Bob, you have got to go a good many 
steps farther if you ever expect to see the 
Swalloiv again.” 

Bob Vilett was limping badly. Besides 
that, he was weak from hunger, exhausted 
after a terribly arduous experience, and quite 
ill generally. 

“I am afraid the others are lost,” went on 
Bob. 

“Let us hope not,” said Dave. 

‘ ‘ Think of the awful racket we went 
through? We wouldn’t be so lucky once 
again in a hundred times.” 

“Yes,” answered Dave, “this is the tough- 
est yet. Still, we must plod on for a bit. I 
am perfectly sure that I heard a native tom- 
tom drumming away in yonder direction.” 

“Which means a native village, you 
think?” 

“I know it does. So, it behooves us to go 
238 


A SWIM FOE LIFE 


239 


straight in the opposite direction. We stood 
some chances with Stoodles alongside of us, 
but alone, those savages would make mince- 
meat of us without ceremony.’’ 

Dave Fearless and Bob Vilett were in a 
]>retty bad plight. This had been brought 
about through an effort on the part of Cap- 
tain Broadbeam to reach that ‘‘other island” 
that the wounded native had told about. 

J ust as soon as the fellow was able to walk, 
the old mariner had insisted on getting 
swiftly on the track of the Swallow. 

They had started at earliest dawn. All of 
the canoes had been tested, found seaworthy, 
and paddles made where they were missing. 

Stoodles and the native rode in one canoe, 
and Dave and Bob in another, these being 
selected as somewhat larger than the others. 

Captain Broadbeam, Amos Fearless, Doc- 
tor Barrel!, Daniel Trench, and Henry Dale 
each had a canoe to themselves. 

The day was unusually fine, the ocean sur- 
face quite smooth. Under good care and the 
^ doctor ’s medicines the native improved every 
hour. 

He turned out to be a bright, observing fel- 
low. He directed their course in a way that 
showed he had perfect confidence in himself. 


240 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


It was a little after noon, and the island 
they had left was a mere speck in the distance, 
when Stoodles called out : 

^ ‘ Land ahead, captain ! ^ ^ 

A brief dark line was visible in the direc- 
tion now indicated by Stoodles. 

All were so inspired by the discovery and 
so anxious to reach land, that they did not 
even stop paddling to eat the food they had 
brought along with them. 

Every hour the land grew nearer, and Cap- 
tain Broadbeam more excited and hopeful. 
He could talk of nothing but the Swallow. 
To once more pace the deck of his staunch 
craft seemed to be to him the acme of happi- 
ness. 

^‘Father will be glad now, if we find the 
treasure all right,” said Dave to Bob. 

At six o’clock they were within three 
miles of land. Captain Broadbeam calcu- 
lated. 

The native, through Stoodles, informed 
them that, going in a straight line, they would 
land not very far distant from the spot where 
he had seen the wrecked steamer. 

This was good news. Blistered hands and 
tired muscles, overstrained by the unusual 
exercise of paddling, were forgotten in the 


A SWIM FOR LIFE 


241 


attempt to gain the shore of the new island 
before it got very dark. 

Suddenly the native Set up a loud chattering 
and pointed to the north. 

^‘What does he say, FatV’ asked Captain 
Broadbeam. 

‘‘He says fashter,” responded Stoodles, 
‘ ‘ and he ^s shaking and scared. ’ ’ 

“Why?’’ 

“He says that black belt yonder is clouds. 
He says it’s another storm coming, and, be- 
dad, from me own past observations, I should 
say we had better hustle. ’ ’ 

All hands bent to the paddles with re- 
doubled zeal. 

Progress was now more difficult, for the 
wind had shifted and was dead set against 
them. 

They were fully a mile from land when a 
gust struck them, and then a squall. 

Captain Broadbeam had anticipated all 
contingencies of a sea voyage in those frail 
canoes. He now passed along a vine strand 
some fifty feet in length. This he and Amos 
Fearless had constructed the night previous. 

“We had better keep to this, and try the 
experiment of massing together, ’ ’ he advised. 
“The storm may pass over quickly.” 


242 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


It struck them with full force at that mo- 
ment. That blank fog and blackness they so 
dreaded began to cover them like a pall. 

The canoes rocked and tossed about like 
egg-shells. It had become so dark that no 
one could see his neighbor. 

Dave was holding to the vine strand and 
Bob was crouching by his side, when a roar, 
deep and sullen, preceded a shock that drove 
both flat and breathless to the bottom of the 
canoe. 

They were separated from the cable. In an 
instant they were deluged and lifted, boat and 
all. 

^‘Dave,’’ gasped Bob, ‘‘cling to the boat!’^ 

‘ ‘You, too. Bob, it ’s a waterspout ! ’ ’ 

The canoe was shot up into the air fully ten 
feet. It seemed for a time suspended there, 
was borne along, and all the time spinning 
round and round like a top. 

Suddenly it dropped, top down, the boys 
clinging to it. The waterspout had passed 
on, but driving rain and a hurricane blast 
tossed them about like feathers. 

“She’s gone!” panted Dave. 

The canoe had pulled apart. It eluded 
their grasp, shot away, and was lost in the 
darkness. 


A SWIM FOR LIFE 


243 


‘‘It’s swim or sink now,” said Dave. 
“Keep close to me, Bob.” 

Dave’s natural element was the water, as 
has been said. 

Bob was a good average swimmer, but it is 
doubtful if he would ever have reached shore 
in that wild storm had not Dave assisted him. 

When at length, after being buffeted by 
great waves and knocked and bruised against 
rocks, an immense roller threw them bodily up 
on the beach, both lay there for some minutes 
completely exhausted. 

The necessity of reaching shelter drove 
them to their feet. They found no verdure 
growth near at hand, however. They plodded 
on, breasting the wind and rain. Bob limped 
badly from a severe wrench of one foot he had 
sustained. 

They seemed to make out what looked like 
trees a little inland. Going towards these 
Dave halted and turned due north at once. 

He had caught the sounds of a tom-tom 
being beaten, not far distant. This meant the 
near proximity of the natives. He urged Bob 
to hasten. 

Poor Bob dragged one foot after the other 
in a painful fashion. Finally he sank flat to 
the ground with a groan of despair. 


244 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


just can’t walk any farther,” he de- 
clared. 

* ^ Those savages are still pretty near, ’ ’ said 
Dave. 

don’t care,” murmured Bob. ‘‘I’m 
dead done out. They’ll find us anyway. 
What chance do we stand ? ’ ’ 

“Come, come, Bob, don’t lose your nerve,” 
said Dave. “You can’t walk? All right, 
then I ’ll carry you. We must find shelter and 
hiding. Get up. ’ ’ 

He resolutely pulled his discouraged com- 
panion to his feet. 

“Now, get on,” he ordered. 

“On where?” asked Bob. 

“On my back.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, say, Dave Fearless ! I can’t do that. ’ ’ 

“Yes, you will.” 

Dave finally got Bob in place as he wanted 
him. The young diver was pretty well done 
out himself, but he did not say so. 

Dave nervily breasted the storm again. He 
held to his task and carried his burden with- 
out a grumble. 

Dave halted finally and let Bob down to the 
ground. He had noticed trees ahead and was 
making for them, having left the direct beach 
for some time past. 


A SWIM FOR LIFE 


245 


Now he halted in some dismay. Further 
progress away from the hostile camp was 
blocked. They had come to a wide stream. 
It seemed to turn at this spot from the higher 
land to the north. Swollen by the recent 
heavy rain, it was quite a roaring torrent. 

^ ‘ We can T cross that, ’ ’ said Bob. “ Don T 
try. Let me sleep a little, Dave. It will 
brace me up.’^ 

Dave noticed some object a little to the left. 
He approached this. 

It was a rude raft tied to a big stake driven 
into the ground. 

. In the center of the raft was a sort of hut or 
cage made of heavy logs. It had a door, and 
this stood open. 

Dave stepped upon this raft. He peered 
into the cage or hut. Its floor was covered 
with fresh, sweet-smelling straw. 

He came back to Bob to find his chum 
already asleep. 

‘'Wake up. Bob,’’ he ordered. “I don’t 
know what I’ve struck on the river there.” 

“What is it I” asked Bob, ^leepily strug- 
gling to his feet. 

“A raft with a shelter on it, and a good bed. 
It’s better than this wet, soaked ground. The 
raft belongs to the natives, of course, but we 


246 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


probably won’t be disturbed till morning. 
Yon sleep a few hours while I watch. Then 
we must get across that river somehow. ’ ’ 

The rushing current of the river tugged at 
the raft, imparting to it a gentle, swaying 
motion. 

‘^Oh, say, this is just luxury!” murmured 
Bob, as he sank down on a bed of straw with 
a sigh of rare content. 

Dave sat down near him. He did not in- 
tend to sleep, for he realized that they were 
in dangerously close proximity to the natives. 

Dave fell into a doze. He roused out of it. 
His tired head sank again. Soon he was 
sound asleep. 

He awoke with a start. It was morning. 
Daylight came in through the open chinks of 
the log structure on the raft. 

The door that had been open a few hours 
before was closed and shut now. 

Dave went to it and tried to pull it ajar. A 
cross log secured it on the outside. 

‘‘Someone has been here,” thought Dave. 
“We are prisoners!” 

He peered out through a chink, and uttered 
a great cry at what he saw. 


CHAPTER XXXI 


IN A CAGE 

Dave stared pretty hard for more than two 
minutes. Then he gave a sigh of wonderment 
and anxiety, and went to where his companion 
lay, still sound asleep. 

‘‘Wake up. Bob Vilett!’’ he called. 

It was hard work getting Bob aroused. 
When he was fully awake he was some time in 
getting on his feet. 

“Ouch! I seem to creak like an old scare- 
crow, ’ ’ he said. ‘ ‘ Dave, upon my word I can 
hardly stir about on-iny pegs.’’ 

“Get limbered up. Bob, for there’s some- 
thing to do, and quick, too.” 

“Eh!” 

“Yes, take a peep through those log chinks. 
Then I want to tell you something.” 

Bob limped to the side of the structure 
they were in, and looked out as Dave had 
done. 

‘ ‘ I declare ! ’ ’ murmured Bob. 

The space behind the log cage they were in 
247 


248 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


was covered with rude clay pots. These were 
filled with the most exquisite wild flowers. 

In front of the cage were other clay pots. 
These contained some kind of an oily liquid. 
It gave out a sharp aromatic scent that was 
wafted to the nostrils of the watchers. 

^^Do you seeT^ asked Dave. ‘‘Looks 
peculiar. ’ ’ 

“I should say so.’’ 

“It is peculiar — and ominous.” 

‘ ‘ How — ominous ! ’ ’ said Bob. “It’s rather 
pretty to me. ’ ’ 

“Well, we won’t waste time discussing a 
matter of taste just now,” responded Dave. 
“What we must do, is to force that door.” 

“Is it locked?” 

‘ ‘ Barred on the outside like an iron vault, ’ ’ 
declared Dave. “That means someone has 
visited the raft while we were sleeping.” 

“A native?” 

“Of course it must have been a native — 
maybe a lot of natives. They brought those 
flowers and those pots of oil.” 

“What for?” 

“I’ll tell you later. They discovered us 
here, and shut us in. It’s an easy way of get- 
ting rid of us. Bob, we’re gone up if we 
don’t get out of here, and across the river to 


IN A CAGE 


249 


the other bank and on our way to hiding, be- 
fore the natives reappear. ’ ’ 

Because I am satisfied they are up to a 
certain sacrifice ceremony I remember Stoo- 
dles telling about once. This raft is part of 
it. He gave me a description of this very 
layout. ’ ’ 

^‘What is it, DaveT’ 

^‘The suicide ship.’’ 

^^Ugh! that sounds ugly.” 

^ ‘ These natives, it seems, make a custom of 
collecting all the badly wounded and the aged 
and helpless on certain feast days. They 
bring them to the sacrificial raft with great 
ceremony. Then they tie them hand and foot, 
place them on the raft, and set it afloat. 
Storm, starvation, and thirst do part of the 
job, and the sharks or the vultures finish up 
the business.” 

^‘But there are no sharks in this river,” 
said Bob. 

‘^No, but this river probably runs to the 
sea at the other side of the island. I reckon 
they will soon bring their victims. Having 
discovered us, they have shut us in here, and 
will kill two birds with one stone by setting us 
afloat with the others. ’ ’ 


250 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


‘^Well, I can use my hands, said Bob, 
rather cheerlessly, ‘^but, even if we get out, I 
can neither swim nor walk. ’ ’ 

“Just let us get out, and I will manage the 
rest,’’ replied Dave. 

They both attacked the door. They tugged, 
pushed, and tried to hack away the outside 
bars by reaching through interstices with 
their knives. 

“No use,” said Bob, at length. 

“No, we might as well be in an iron cage,’^ 
answered Dave. “And here comes some- 
body!” 

A native approached bearing a burning 
torch. He looked over the collection of flow- 
ers and rearranged them. Then, going to the 
front of the raft, he set fire to the oil in the 
receptacles there. 

Having done this, he took a peep into the 
cage. The fellow grunted and chuckled as 
he discovered Dave and Bob standing in an 
attitude of helpless consternation, and went 
away. 

The pots of oil burned briskly, diffusing an 
odor like incense. Dave ran at the door and 
jumped against it with both feet, tie braced 
his shoulders at the corners of the cage. 

“I guess we will have to resign ourselves 


m A CAGE 251 

to our fate,” he said, after these vain at- 
tempts at liberty. 

‘‘Yes, we are certainly up against it bad, 
this time, ’ ' murmured Bob. “ Ah ! here comes 
the procession — and the band. ’ ^ 

They could look for a long distance back 
over the open waste they had traversed the 
night previous. 

Dave made out the head of some slow pro- 
cession, nearly a mile away. He also vaguely 
caught the sound of tom-toms and trumpets. 

Those approaching bore a large number of 
litters, probably carrying the victims of the 
suicide ship. 

Dave felt that the situation was a very 
desperate one. He was much alarmed, too, 
at noticing that Bob had again sunk to the 
straw. Dave felt his own strength leaving 
him. A rather pleasant sleepy sensation was 
creeping over him. 

“Here, Bob!” he rallied, “this won’t do.” 

“Yniat won’t do?” mumbled Bob, dozingly. 

‘ ‘ Going to sleep at a critical time like this. 
We need all our wide-awake energies just 
now, if we ever did. That burning stuff out 
there has a narcotic drug mixed in with it. 
Bouse up, and don’t inhale any more of it 
than you can help. ’ ’ 


252 CKTJISE OF THE TREASUEE SHIP 


Dave had noticed a piece of bamboo about 
ten feet long lying on the raft surface outside 
near the cage. 

Dave fished for this with a string loop made 
of Bob ’s fishing-line. He caught its end, and 
managed to pull the pole through a wide crack 
in the logs. 

Bob roused up somewhat to watch his com- 
rade with curiosity. 

‘ ‘ What are you up to ? ’ ^ he inquired, 
am going to try and cut the raft loose. 

‘‘What forT’ 

‘ ‘ To get away from the natives, of course. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ They ’ll follow us. ” 

“Not till they find we are gone. It’s a 
respite anyway. With a couple of hours 
time, if you will pitch in and help me, I be- 
lieve we could cut far enough into the end of 
one of those logs to loosen it and push it out. ’ ’ 

“All right, Dave, I feel pretty useless and 
discouraged, but I’ll try and do my share.” 

Dave tied his hunting-knife with Bob’s 
fishing-line securely to the end of the pole. 
Extending the bamboo through the crack, he 
reached toward the heavy cable that held the 
raft to the shore. 

It was formed of many tough hempen 
strands. The tension was so great on this 


IN A CAGE 


253 


rope, however, that, as Dave sawed across it, 
the strands snapped at a touch. 

‘ ' We Ve made it ! ’ ’ breathed Dave. 

''Good!’' cried Bob. "Whoop! this is 
sailing.” 

The instant the raft tore loose from the 
shore, it seemed to make a mighty bound. 

It swung into the current with a swift dip, 
and whirled around like a top. 

Dave had previously noticed that the river 
had a swift current, hut he had no idea of its 
real strength and rapidity until now. 

The raft fairly tore along. There was a 
jar as it collided with a great floating log. 
Then it righted itself and dove ahead again, 
only the collision had caused a fresh dis- 
aster. 

One of the burning pots of oil had been 
tipped over against another and both pots 
broke. 

"We are on fire!” said Dave, as the oil 
flooded the logs, and a great blaze swept up- 
wards. 

' ' Out of the frying-pan into the fire ? ’ ’ mur- 
mured Bob, as he, too, scanned the situation. 

The other pots began to crack in the heat. 
Soon their contents were spilled and licked 
up in the ravenous flames. 


254 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


Crowd to the far corner,” directed Dave, 
as the smoke choked and blinded them. 

Whang ! the raft struck a rock. One of the 
logs was torn free, and the rebound sent Dave 
and Bob flat to the floor of the cage. 

The flames roared, fanned to fierce fury in 
the draught caused by their rapid progress. 

‘^The fire may burn the bars loose,” mur- 
mured Dave. 

‘^Oh, wefll be cremated long before that,” 
retorted Bob. ^ ‘ The straw is on fire — kick it 
out, Dave ! ^ ’ 

The latter did so. Then, tying a handker- 
chief over the lower part of his face, he took a 
look through a crack in the cage. 

He retreated from his inspection with a 
quick, startled whistle of concern. 

That glance had shown new danger. It ex- 
plained the rapid current of the river. 

Ahead a few hundred yards, Dave Fear- 
less had seen the brink of a great waterfall. 

Before he could impart this intelligence to 
Bob, both were jerked from their footing. 

They crashed up against the opposite wall 
as the raft struck something, quivered in a 
mighty shock, and came to a dead stop. 

Dave picked himself up and looked out 
again. 


IN A CAGE 


255 


His blood curdled. The raft was wedged in 
between two rocks. There it was held sus- 
pended, close to the edge of the waterfall, 
while thirty feet below was a seething caldron 
of foam and mist waiting to swallow them up I 


CHAPTER XXXII 


FOUND AT LAST 

Dave Fearless had no opportunity to ap- 
prise his comrade of the situation. 

There came a sudden bang. 

He and Bob were again flung headlong. 

‘ * Oh ! what ’s happening P ’ cried the breath- 
less Bob. 

‘‘We are going over a thirty-foot water- 
fall,’’ said Dave, rapidly. “And ” 

A rush of waters, a deluging splash, 
drowned out further utterance. 

Dave guessed that some great log or float- 
ing tree of immense size had dislodged them. 

Striking the barrier that choked up the 
channel, this had slid upon the raft, had struck 
the cage structure, and this, torn from its 
foundations, had been shot along the logs and 
over the falls, the boys inside of it. 

Dave experienced a bewildering sensation 
as of falling, then flying, then floating. 

He was bounced up and down like a rubber 


FOUND AT LAST 


257 


ball, swept through a vortex of blinding water, 
but unhurt from the fall, not even stunned. 

‘‘Where is BobT^ 

This was his first thought, as he wa.. swept 
from under the cataract and into open 
water. 

Dave dashed his eyes free from water, and 
looked eagerly about. Not ten feet away an 
immense log was whirling around in an eddy. 
This was the projectile that had shoved the 
cage free from the raft. 

Near to this log was the cage itself. It was 
bobbing about, roof down in the water. Ly- 
ing across a corner of it, limp and motionless, 
was Bob Vilett, his head just out of the water. 

Dave fought a terrific battle with the water 
in the next two minutes. Had he not been an 
expert diver he never could have rescued his 
friend. 

He did reach Bob at last, however, and got 
him from the crazily bobbing cage structure 
to the big log. He knew he had only to hold 
Bob there and cling himself, and wait. The 
log was being moved to the farther circles of 
the eddies each moment. Finally it left the 
vortex and floated quite steadily downstream. 

Dave saw that he could hardly breast the 
rapids, and waited until they had floated into 


258 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 


comparatively quiet waters. Then he secured 
Bob with one arm, struck out for shore, 
reached it, and sat down by his rescued friend 
to regain his breath and his strength. 

Bob did not seem particularly hurt by the 
rough experience he had just gone through. 
There was a bruise near one temple, and Pave 
surmised that a knock had stunned him. fie 
was immensely relieved as Bob moaned, 
stirred, opened his eyes, and sat up. 

‘ ‘ Feeling all right. Bob ? ’ ’ 

<<IVe got a splitting headache,’’ answered 
Bob, ‘ ‘ and this foot — ouch ! Say, Dave, ’ ’ con- 
tinued the young engineer, pointing wonder- 
ingly to the placidly flowing stream before 
them, ^‘have I been dreaming?” 

‘‘About what?” 

“A Are, waterfall, suicide ship.” 

“Not at all. Bob.” 

“Where is the raft we were on?” 

“Kindling wood.” 

‘ ‘ And — and ’ ’ 

Dave supplied the missing links in Bob’s 
memory. 

“Whew! we escaped all that?” murmured 
Bob. 

“Yes, and if we expect to escape the natives, 
we want to hustle, right off,” declared Dave. 



“oil, IJOI! ! ” SHOUTED DAN, “ WE ARE HOME AT LAST. 

‘ SWALLOW ’ ! ” — P. 261. 


IT IS THE 


Cruise of the Treasure Ship, 




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p 

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^ * v 'V 


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•>* ‘Ks\ 








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^ • J 



FOUND AT LAST 


259 


‘‘Those fellows will certainly be along here 
soon, trying to find out what became of the 
raft and us. Are you able to walk at all, 
Bobr’ 

“No,’’ answered Bob, arising stiffly. 

“Can you limp?” 

‘ ‘ Maybe, if I had a crutch. ’ ’ 

Dave hunted till he found a crotched piece 
of wood that would answer for a crutch. 

They started away from the river. Bob 
made very slow progress. The landscape 
was quite open, consisting of gently sloping 
sandhills. 

While Bob was resting after the first spurt 
from the river, Dave made his way to a little 
grove. 

He came back with a thick, flat piece of bark 
nearly three inches through. It was two feet 
wide, and seven feet long. 

Dave bent up one end, sledge-fashion. To 
this he attached some stout vines he had also 
discovered. He made a sort of a harness for 
himself, and slapped his chum cheeringly on 
the shoulder. , 

“Come,” said Dave, “get into your 
chariot. ’ ’ 

“See here, Dave,” demurred Bob, “I can’t 
consent to make a pack-horse of you.” 


260 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 


‘^What does it matter, so long as we win 
the race?’’ demanded Dave. ‘^Oh, this is 
easy. Sort of gives a fellow a restful balance. 
Hold on tight now, Bob. I may get excited 
and run away with you ! ’ ’ 

Their spirits rose as the day wore on. 
They found some nuts and berries, the im- 
promptu sledge worked all right, and Dave 
plodded on in a northeasterly direction, de- 
claring he could smell the sea,” and was 
anxious to reach it. 

calculate that if the others got ashore,” 
he told Bob, ^Hhey would land somewhere 
north of the river.” 

hope they have found the Swallow. If 
they have, and we can find them, our troubles 
are about over.” 

They could not at any time see very far 
ahead on their monotonous journey. Their 
course was up a sandhill, down its other side, 
and so on hour after hour. 

About mid-afternoon Dave had a stout pull 
up an unusually high sandhill. He was get- 
ting tired. As he reached this last summit, 
however, he forgot all weariness. 

^‘The sea — at last !” he said, in a glad tone. 

It lay not five hundred feet away from 
them, at the bottom of a sandy incline. 


FOUND AT LAST 


261 


^‘And there — look, Dave!^^ cried Bob, 
scrambling off the sledge to his feet. 

^^What? where? — a ship!’^ shouted Dave. 
“Oh, Bob! we are home at last. It is the 
Swallow!’^ 


CHAPTER XXXIII 

THE TREASUKE 

‘^Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!” shouted Bob 
Vilett. 

The young engineer of the Swallow was so 
excited and delighted that he could not con- 
tain himself. 

Dave Fearless was fully as much stirred up. 
His heart beat fast with joy and hope, but he 
controlled himself. 

The Swallow lay about a hundred feet from 
shore in a sort of bay, and in dead water. 

It had drifted in among a mass of sea weeds 
and was slightly tilted, as if some part of its 
keel touched sand. 

‘‘She looks all right,” breathed the de- 
lighted Bob. 

“I want to take a closer view,” said Dave, 
starting to descend. 

“Hold on, not without me!” cried Bob, 
amazingly spry now with his crutch. “I 
wonT be left. Just get me aboard the dear 
262 


THE TREASURE 


263 


old steamer — somehow, anyhow — and I’ll 
never leave it again, you bet ! ’ ^ 

‘‘All right. We’ll try sliding you down,” 
said his chum. 

The bark sledge carried Bob to the bottom 
of the sandhill in safety. Now it was a ques- 
tion as to how they should reach the steamer 
with the least risk and inconvenience. 

“We can’t swim in that mass of weeds,” 
said Dave, “we could hardly wade. I shall 
have to devise some way of reaching the 
8 wallow. 

All kinds of wreckage had floated into the 
bay. Dave fished out a long pole and got 
three big logs together. He joined them with 
cross-pieces. Both got aboard the impromptu 
raft. 

Dave did the poling, at which he was skillful 
from former experience. 

However, it took them half an hour to fight 
their way through the thick, matted seaweed. 

At last the raft landed up against the hull 
of the Swallow. The contact gave Dave a 
thrill. 

‘ ‘ It feels just like shaking hands with an old 
friend,” said Bob. “Dave, we are here 
first.” 

“I think so. Bob,” responded Dave. 


264 CKUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


one aboard. Then where are our 
friends T ’ • 

Dave did not reply. His gladness at dis- 
covering the Swalloiv became shadowed as he 
thought anxiously of his father, Captain 
Broadbeam, and the others. 

By using the pole Dave managed to clamber 
to the deck. He immediately lowered a drop- 
seat tackle, and his companion joined him. 

The two boys stood silently looking about 
the deck for some minutes. 

Here and there were evidences of the 
ravages of the storm. Nothing very serious 
above deck, however, seemed to have happened 
to the Sivalloiv. 

Dave started for the cabin. Its door was 
open. The place was vacant, and everything 
soaked. 

There’s someone,” said Bob, suddenly. 

^ ^ Where ? ’ ’ inquired Dave. 

heard a noise in the forecastle. It 
sounded like a groan. ’ ’ 

Dave hurried to the forecastle. Bob hob- 
bled after him fast as he could. 

< ‘ Why, ’ ’ said Dave, as he pushed upon the 
deck door, ‘‘there is someone here. Mr. 
Drake, is it indeed you ! ’ ’ 

Lying on the floor, handcuffed, and their 


THE TREASURE 


265 


feet secured with stout ropes, were three men : 
Drake the boatswain, Mike Connors the cook, 
and Ben Adams the engineer. 

The two latter were asleep. Drake was 
haggard, wild-eyed, and feverish. 

‘‘Young Fearless! — Bob Vilett!'’ gasped 
the boatswain in a cracked, pained voice. 
“ You’ve come just in time. Water! for the 
love of Heaven, water! Mates! mates!” he 
called to his companion prisoners, “we’re 
saved. Bouse up ! rouse up ! ” 

Dave saw lying near the men overturned 
water-pails. Scattered around, too, were bis- 
cuits and parts of a ham. He ran to the deck, 
opened a water-barrel, and came back with a 
pannikin full to the brim. 

The other two men had now awakened. 
They drank the water, moaning and crying 
like animals in pain. Dave hurried next to 
the little ship’s armory otf the rear cabin. 
He took a key out of a pair of handcuffs hang- 
ing there. It fitted those securing the men in 
the forecastle. 

The prisoners were soon freed of all their 
bonds. They staggered up on deck like men 
who had just grazed death, drinking in the 
fresh air of liberty with great gasps of joy. 

These were the three out of the S wallow 


266 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE -SHIP 


crew who had refused to join in with Captain 
Nesik’s band. They had been prisoners ever 
since the Raven crowd seized the steamer. 
The poor brave fellows had paid dearly for 
their loyalty to Captain Broadbeam. 

They knew little of what had happened on 
the Swalloiv outside of the forecastle. There 
they had been continuously imprisoned since 
the steamer was captured. 

Food and water had been given to them as 
it would be thrown to dogs. Since the big 
storm, they had had enough food lying around 
them to keep from starving, but the water had 
given out the day previous. 

When Dave had heard their story, he went 
away alone below deck. 

Bob guessed what he was after. Dave came 
back with a very troubled face. 

‘ ‘ Been below, eh T ’ said Bob. 

‘‘Yes.” 

“To see if the treasure is safef ” 

“Yes, Bob,” answered Dave. “It is not. 
It is gone. The tank is tipped over, and the 
iron chest smashed to pieces. There is not 
so much as one gold coin left. ’ ’ 

“Eh, what is that you are talking about?” 
broke in Drake, approaching. ‘ ‘ The treasure, 
is it?” 


THE TREASURE 


267 


^^Yes,” nodded Dave. Those fellows of 
the Raven found it. They have taken it 
away with them. ’ ^ 

‘‘You are mistaken/’ said Drake. 

“It is gone.” 

j‘Not from the Swallow,'*^ 

“What are you talking about?” 

‘ ‘ What I know, ’ ’ asserted Drake. ‘ ‘ Listen, 
and I will tell you all about it. The day that 
you were marooned, that young sneak, Bart 
Hankers, somehow nosed out the treasure. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ With the nose that I punched, ’ ’ murmured 
Bob Vilett. “I’d like to punch it again, just 
now ! ’ ’ 

“Then Captain Nesik, the captain of the 
extra crew, and the Hankers brought bag 
after bag of the treasure up here into the fore- 
castle. We saw it all. In fact they offered 
us a whole bag of it if we would turn to their 
side and navigate the Swallow for them.” 

‘ ‘ Which you wouldn ’t do. ’ ’ 

“No, sir! They had a great squabble. 
The extra-crew men demanded an immediate 
division of the spoils. They must have quar- 
reled over it for an hour. Then Lemuel Han- 
kers insisted that they accept his proposi- 
tion.” 

“What was his proposition?” asked Dave. 


268 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 

^‘They were to divide the gold into four 
equal parts. Each part was to be placed 
in a stout box, sealed and labeled. The boxes 
were not to be touched until they reached 
some port.” 

‘‘And then?” 

“One box was to go to Captain Nesik and 
his crew. One box was to be given to the 
extra crew. One box was to be taken by the 
Hankers.” 

“And the fourth box?” asked Dave. 

“That was to go to the Hankers, too, only 
in trust, though. They agreed to deposit it 
in some bank. Old man Hankers said that if 
the Pearlesses ever showed up, it would serve 
to settle with them. Or if Captain Broad- 
beam raised a row, the money would be ready 
to bribe him to silence.” 

“You bet Lem Hankers got the lion^s 
share,” said Bob Vilett — “the old miserly 
dog ! ’ ^ 

‘ ‘ Well, ’ ’ proceeded Drake, ‘ ‘ this was finally 
agreed to. They scattered about a thousand 
dollars in gold among the crews to keep them 
good-natured. Then they brought up four 
big wooden boxes, divided the gold evenly, 
and nailed up, labeled, and sealed the 
boxes.” 


THE TREASUKE 


269 


‘ ‘ What did they do with the boxes ? ’ ’ asked 
Dave. 

‘'Carried them back of the forecastle into 
the ballast room, and left them there, said 
Drake. 

“And they are there nowT’ cried Dave. 

“Must be. They never came out through 
the forecastle, as we well know, for we were 
there all of the time,^’ said Drake. “When 
the big storm came up, Nesik ordered all 
hands to the Raven, He said she was the 
safest. I heard one of the crew ask what 
about the gold. Nesik told him it was a pres- 
ent question of life, not of money, and that 
they would have to trust to luck to pick up the 
Swallotv after the storm. ’ ’ 

Dave hurried back into the forecastle. He 
passed through it, and, picking up a lantern 
and lighting it, hurried to the ballast room. 

Upon its sandy floor, sure enough, lay four 
boxes. They were labeled and sealed, -just as 
Drake had said. Dave tried to lift one. He 
could not budge it. 

‘ ‘ Oh, this is the top-notch of real luck ! ’ ’ he 
exclaimed. 

When he came back to the deck, the three 
men and Bob were standing at the rail looking 
shorewards. 


270 CKUISE OF THE TREASUKE SHIP 

Bob, with an excited face, hobbled towards 
Dave. 

‘ ‘ Did you find the boxes T ’ he asked. 

‘‘Yes,’’ answered Dave, heartily. “Bob, 
the Sivallow is ours, the treasure is ours. Oh, 
how I wish father and the others were here ! ’ ’ 

“Have your wish, then!” shouted Bob, 
pointing to the shore. ‘ ‘ There they are ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTER XXXIV 


' CONCLUSION 

It was true. Dave Fearless ran to the side 
of the steamer and gazed at the near beach. 

He could scarcely believe the evidence of 
his sight. A great crowd had appeared 
around the base of a sandhill. 

Nearly a hundred natives thronged around 
and carried a great litter. This bore Stoo- 
dles, seated in a highly decorated chair of 
state. 

Near him was the native Bob and Henry 
Dale had found in the drifting canoe. Also 
on the litter were Amos Fearless, Captain 
Broadbeam, Doctor Barrell, the Englishman 
Trench, and Henry Dale. 

Everything indicated that Stoodles and his 
friends were once more in the highest favor 
with the natives. 

saw some rifles in the cabin,’’ spoke 
Dave, quickly, to Drake. 

‘ ‘ The Raven crowd probably left them there 
in the hurry of getting away. Want them!” 

271 


272 CKinSE OF THE TKEASURE SHIP 

‘‘Yes, loaded.’^ 

Dave himself hurried to the wheelhouse. 

“We must let Captain Broadbeam know we 
are aboard,’^ said Dave. 

A minute later he ran up the Stars and 
Stripes across the bow. 

At the same time his companions fired a 
welcoming salute. 

“Get out the small boat,” said Dave to 
Drake, “and you had better help me get it 
ashore.’’ 

Fifteen minutes later Dave Fearless was 
clasped in his father’s arms, and then went 
the rounds shaking the hands of Captain 
Broadbeam and his other friends. 

As these came down from the royal litter, 
a word of explanation here and there ap- 
prised Bob of how they had escaped from the 
storm at sea. 

They had been discovered by the natives 
only four hours since. With the death of 
Aysha and the earthquake fresh in their 
minds, the savages were wild to have Stoodles 
as their king again. 

“I’ve fixed it, lad,” whispered Pat to Dave. 
“I’ve a spaach to make, and then we’ll get 
aboord the Swallow. 

There were several women among the 


CONCLUSION 


2V3 


crowd. These happened to be near Doctor 
Barrel!, who, observing some rare bug on 
a stone, took out his magnifying glass to in- 
spect it. 

A big, chubby female happened to glance 
over his shoulder. She cr’.ed out her wonder- 
ment to her friends. Soon the harassed 
scientist was kept busy showing the chatter- 
ing women the ^^big eye” glass. 

The fat female native seemed particularly 
impressed with a man having such a valuable 
possession. 

She seized the doctor by the arm, and called 
out to the tribe. There was great excitement. 
The crowd formed into two ranks. 

^‘Let go, woman!” ordered Doctor Barrell, 
with dignity. 

^‘You’re in for it, dochter !” cried Stoodles. 
^ ^ She dames you as her husband. ’ ’ 

^A¥hat! zounds! ridiculous!” gasped Doc- 
tor Barrell. ^‘Why, I am a married man 
already ! ’ ’ 

‘‘And the thribe demand the usual ordeal,” 
continued Stoodles, a spice of mischief in his 
tones. 

‘ ‘ The ordeal ? ’ ’ faltered the doctor. 

“Exactly. You are to run down those two 
ranks, around, and down again. If she 


274 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 


catches you before you reach the end, accord- 
ing to the naytive law, she is Mrs. Dochter 
Barrel!.’’ 

^‘Horrors!” cried the learned scientist, 
aghast. ‘ ^ Let go ! avaunt ! scat ! ’ ’ 

The doctor ran and completed the second 
gauntlet about twenty yards ahead of the fe- 
male. He ran knee-deep out into the water, 
tumbled over the yawl, and lay there, ^‘sho: - 
ing” her off, frightened half to death. 

Stoodles made a long speech to his subjects 
in the native dialect. 

They groaned and groveled, but seemed 
willing to part with him. He and the others 
now got into the yawl. 

The natives stood singing and waving their 
hands until the yawl was poled and paddled 
clear to the Sivallow. 

‘HIow did they come to let your kingship 
go, Pat?” inquired Captain Broadbeam. 

^ ‘ Shure, I tould them I must go back to my 
roightful dominion alone first, to scare away 
the earthquake demon,” answered Stoodles. 
^ ‘ They are to come over in four days. I said 
they would find a token of me ready to receive 
them. ’ ’ 

‘‘What token is that, Pat?” 

“I shall set up my ould plug-hat and the 


CONCLUSION 


275 


dochter^s short swally-tailed coat on the 
shore.’’ 

‘ ‘ Why don’t you stay and be their king? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Begorra, no ! ” dissented Pat. ‘ ^ I ’ve been 
a king three times now, and a narrow escape 
each time. I won’t risk it again. Put me 
aboard of the Swallow and kape me there, 
captain dear, that’s all I ask.” 

‘‘Where is Bob?” asked Dave of Mike Con- 
nors, the cook, as he clambered on deck. 

“Where should I be but on duty?” an- 
swered Bob for himself, coming up from the 
engine-room. “Captain Broadbeam,” he 
added, ‘ ‘ the machinery is all right, we are oil- 
ing it up, and in two hours the Swallow y al- 
though somewhat battered, will be ready for 
service. ’ ’ 

There were great times aboard the steamer 
for the next few hours. There were many ex- 
planations to make, many discoveries to re- 
port. • 

It took time to rearrange the disordered 
deck and the cabins. They were all so happy 
at being reunited and in safety, that each 
worked cheerfully nearly the whole night 
through. 

“I said that Providence was on our side,” 
observed Amos Fearless, gratefully, when he 


276 CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP 

learned about the four wooden boxes in the 
hold of the Swallow. 

Doctor Harrell found most of his deep-sea 
specimens intact. 

Early the next morning Dave Fearless had 
a brief confidential chat with Captain Broad- 
beam. He told him under strict seal of con- 
fidence about the derelict Priscilla. 

The result was that the Swallow steamed 
out to sea an hour later, and about noon an- 
chored nearly at the spot where the party had 
started their canoe voyage two days previous. 

Once there, Dave got out the small boat and 
asked Henry Dale to accompany him for a 
little row. 

Dave soon returned in the yawl alone, but 
no one happened to notice this excepting Cap- 
tain Broadbeam, to whom Dave at once made 
a confidential report. 

The captain then gave some explicit orders 
to the engineer, and they crept slowly up the 
shore. 

Daniel Trench came up to where Captain 
Broadbeam and Dave were standing. 

‘‘Well, captain,’^ he said, “I suppose you 
start homeward-bound soon ? ’ ’ 

“Inside of the hour,’^ answered Captain 
Broadbeam. 


CONCLUSION 


277 


^^That leaves Mr. Dale and myself out/’ 
said Trench. ‘‘You see, we are both here 
on a special mission. I must find the Pris- 
cilla y and blow her up. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Or Dale must find her, and get her towed 
into port,” suggested Dave. 

“Yes,” nodded Trench. “I suppose we 
will both have to go with you till we meet some 
craft willing to cruise around until we find 
the Priscilla.'*^ 

“Why,” said Captain Broadbeam, with a 
twinkle in his eye, ‘ ‘ I reckon the Sivallow will 
accommodate you in that. ’ ’ 

“What!” cried Trench, eagerly. “You 
will help us to locate the PriscillaP’ 

‘ ‘ Sure. In fact, ’ ’ continued Captain Broad- 
beam, “our young friend here, Dave Fearless, 
has already located her, and — there she 
is!” 

At that moment the steamer had reached 
the mouth of the cove where the Priscilla lay. 
It was to this very spot that Dave had rowed 
Henry Dale less than an hour before. 

“Zounds!” exclaimed Trench, after one 
amazed stare — ‘ ‘ the Priscilla ! ’ ’ 

“I reckon it is,” smiled Captain Broad- 
beam. 

“And someone in possession!” cried 


278 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUKE SHIP 

Trench, noticing a white document nailed to 
the bow of the derelict, and a handsome silk 
American flag overhead. 

‘ ' Yes, ’ ’ said Dave Fearless, ' ‘ Henry Dale is 
in charge. Don’t be disappointed, Mr. 
Trench,” he added, ^Hor a happier boy you 
never saw.” 

“No,” answered Trench, “at heart I am 
truly glad that he got there first.” 

“And remember,” added Captain Broad- 
beam, “when we tow the Priscilla into port at 
Valparaiso, Henry Dale has won the ten 
thousand dollars reward that means comfort 
for his poor old father, and happiness for his 
whole family.” 

An hour later the beautiful steamer Swal- 
low bade farewell to the island. 

The Priscilla in tow, it once more headed 
on the homeward course for San Francisco. 

The old ocean diver, Amos Fearless, felt 
that a hard-earned reward was his at 
last. 

Dave Fearless looked back on his many stir- 
ring adventures as on a dream. It was an ex- 
perience, though, that had brought out every 
manly quality in his sterling nature. 

“Headed for home at last!” spoke bluff 
Captain Broadbeam, cheerily. 


CONCLUSION 


279 


‘^Well, the prospect before ns is worth all 
the hardship and peril we have gone throngh, ^ ’ 
added Amos Fearless. 

‘ ‘ I wonder what has become of the Hankers 
and the Raven? said Dave Fearless. 

There was no reply to this, for no one 
knew. 

Did the Hankers really escape? Yes, and 
what they proposed to do, and what this 
meant for those aboard of the treasnre ship, 
will he told in another volnme, to be called 
‘‘Adrift on the Pacific; or. The Secret of the 
Island Cave.’’ In that we shall meet onr 
yonng friends again, in adventnres even more 
strange than those already related. 

Bnt for the time being all went well. The 
weather proved fine and the Swallow made 
rapid progress with the boat in tow. 

“It’s like a dream,” said Dave, as he sat 
on the deck one evening with Bob. ‘ ‘ That cy- 
clone, and the earthquake, and the waterfall, 
and all ! I can hardly believe it ! ” 

“I guess we can count ourselves more 
than lucky, Dave,” the young engineer an- 
swered. 

“Well, I’ll be glad when we get to San 
Francisco, eh?” 

“Yes, indeed! I’d rather be among 


280 CKUISE OF THE TKEASUEE SHIP 

civilized beings than those savages any 
day/^ 

The boys sat on deck until late, talking over 
the past. But at last they turned in; and 
here we will depart also, and say good-night. 


THE END 


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